f ; 



THE 



WELL DRILLER: 

OR, 

I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE, 

SHOWING THE 

UNREASONABLENESS, INCONSISTENCY AND UNSCRIP- 
TURALNESS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN, OR IN ANY 
WISE WELL PLEASING TO GOD, WITHOUT 



BEISG- A MEMBER OF THE VISIBLE CHURCH. 



BY REV, I. A. SITES. 



■Wherefore come out from among them, and be 
ye separate, saith the Lord."— 2 Cor. 6:17. 




FREE PORT, ILL.: 
Bulletin Book and General Job Printing House. 
1876. 



Entered According to Act of Congress, m the Year 1876, by 
REV. I. A. SITES. 
In the Offic eof the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. i 



PREFACE 



;fi?0MM01s usage requires, when a new Look 



y l is given to the public, that the author 
should not only give a condensed outline of his 
subject, but also his reasons for having written 
and published it. 

The outline, as seen on the title-page, will 
at once present the full subject to the reader. 

As will be noticed, however, upon its 
perusal, we have not confined ourselves to the 
forms of argument in the order in which they 
are stated, inasmuch as this would have given it 
too much of a mechanical arrangement, which, 
in the style in which it is written, would not 
have been admissible ; but all three are em- 




IV PREFACE. 

ployed in answering the questions that Lave been 
raised. 

In order to make it as attractive as possible 
to the masses, and to give it a practical applica- 
tion, the conversational style has been employed, 

It courts not the favor of the merely moral, 
neither does it compromise with the Devil, but 
it boldly and unremittingly advocates an uncon- 
ditional SURRENDER TO CtlRXST AS MAN'S ONLY 
SAFETY, AND UNION WITH HlS CHURCH AS ESSEN- 
TIAL to a Scriptural Christianity. 

The title, "The Well-Driller; or, I Can 
Live Outside, 55 has been adopted mainly because 
circumstances, as narrated in the first chapter, 
seemed to demand it. 

Most of the incidents brought forward are 
still fresh in the author 5 s recollection. Real 
names, of course, have been withheld, and 
others substituted. 

The reasons which prompted to the produc- 
tion of the book may be written in a single sen- 
tgiiee— to no good. Many are relying on their 



PREFACE. V 

morality to save them, and hence stand aloof 
from the visible Kingdom of Christ. Others 
refuse to unite with the Church on the grounds 
of its not being necessary, their not being good 
enough, and other reasons just as puerile, all of 
which are duly noticed in the body of the work. 

An appendix has been added containing a 
chapter on Educational Religion, and a sermon 
on the Value of the Bible. 

With these brief explanations, the book is 
sent out on its mission with the fervent prayer 
that all into whose hands it may come will not 
only be entertained, but also instructed in things 
pertaining to their safety ; and that it may lead 
many to clearer apprehensions of their duty in 
connection with the truth, bringing them into 
the Militant Church, so that in due time they 
may be translated into the Church Triumphant. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Mr, Alexander, a Minister of the Gospel — His early 
employment and convictions — Final triumph over all 
difficulties — He enters the Ministry — Locates in the 

- West — Attracted by a strange sound, conies to Mr. 
Simon who is drilling a well — The value of water — ■ 
Origin of wells — Water symbolizes the Blessings of 
Salvation — Christ the door — N~o other way — Hot 
necessary to belong to a Church — Mr. Simon a Chris- 

- Man for 15 years and no church member— Keeps up 
family worship — No church suits his taste — Obedience 

• to Christ the only sign of love toward him — The 
Lord's Supper a necessary requirement — Mr. Simon 
finds fault with Ministers for not inviting all christians 
to commune — Not too strict to demand church — 
Membership first — ISTo wish that the church should go 
down — But not necessary to be a member of it — Mr. 
Alexander closes the conversation — Is invited to call 
at Mr. Simon's to continue the conversation— Accepts 
— Bid each other good-bye. 

CHAPTER IT. 

MrJSinrEon arguing with himself— Almost forgot his chores 
— Busily thinking while at work — Wonders what the 
Minister thinks of him — Almost wishes he had not 
invited him over — Desires to he set right — Justifies 



viii 



CONTENTS. 



himself by following Mr. Small's example who was 
once a church member — Mr. Alexander calls — Is 
cordially greeted - Introductions— Shown into the 
parlor — He likes the town — Can feel himself at home 
—We never appreciate blessings until deprived of 
them — Mr. Simon corroborates this by his own 
occupation — Begin the conversation — Mr. Simon 
refers to Mr. Small's conduct — The Minister admits 
that he is an honest man, and a good neighbor, yet 
also a dangerous man — .Christianity consists in 
receiving Christ — Good works the expression of a 
grateful heart — Good works injurious to those who 
rely on them — Man might have led a moral life with- 
out Christ — Mr. Simon begins to see matters in a 
different light — His wife gives her hearty assent to 
the Minister's views, and is thankful for the instruc- 
tion given — Mr. Simon never seriously studied the 
matter — Is shown his inconsistency for not doing so — 
Tea announced— Ail eat heartily —Again return to the 
room — Mr. Simon excuses himself— Mast attend to an 
errand. 

CHAPTER III. 



Mr. Simon goes into a store — The crowd and conversation 
— The Grange Movement under discussion — Getting 
boisterous — Making more of the Grange than of the 
Church — Mr. Simon speaks — Getting still more over- 
bearing — Mr. Simon persuades his brother in-law, Mr. 
Marshall, to go home with him — Introduces him to 
the Minister — Mr. Alexander asked to give his views of 
the movement — Makes a few statements— Mr. Marshall 
not at church for two years — His reasons — No clothes 
fit — The people so "stuck up" — Mr. Alexander replies 
—Don't look at the fine clothes— They will be good 
enough to die in, some da}'— Mr. Marshall thinks 



CONTENTS. 



IX 



ignorance of duty excuses responsibility — Is shown 
the inconsistency and sinfulness of such views — All 
men are responsible to God — He says there are so 
many hypocrites in the church— Mr. Alexander tells 
him of what such excuses remind him — The hypoc- 
risy of others will not justify him — Every one to give 
an account for themselves — Man is responsible even 
befoie making a profession — Erring christians repent 
amid groans and tears — Can the church save ? — Reply 
— Forms not religion — But necessary for its existence 
— Mist not separate the two — Illustrated by the human 
bod} — God always works by means — The world looks 
for some external evidence— God's glory demands it — 
Mr. &mo.n admits that he had been following his own 
wajr, md not God's — Is exhorted to flee to Christ ' 
— Pronises to unite with the church — Mr. Marshall 
must lave time to consider — Is also exhorted to act 
prom ply— Conclude the interview with fervent prayer 
— The} separate. 



A delightfulmorning — Mr. Simon asks his wife to accom- 
pany hin to church — She consents — He reiterates his 
intention o unite with the church — She will join with 
him — His mind undergoing conviction since the 
conversatki at the well— The people thronging to 
church — Teir decorous behavior — The sermon — 1. 
Christ the lead— 2. The church the body— 3. We the 
members — 'he head necessary to life — Union with the 
head is thragh the body — Something wrong when 
persons reM'to unite with the church— Mr. and Mrs. 
Simon resold to unite at the first opportunity— They 
take this stel_Mr. Marshall in the congregation— 
His mind coliderably agitated— The tempter seeks 



CHAPTER IV. 




X 



C( >\itjv\ r - 



to quiet his conscience — Wishes himself in Mr 
Simon's place at the altar of consecration — Can no 
longer resist — Conies forward after all have communed 
— Mr. Alexander's embarrassment — Blended the 
Ceremonies of confirmation and communion — A 
blessed meeting — Mr. Simon rejoices that his eyes have 
been opened to the truth— Mrs. Simon surprised at 
her brother's sudden resolution — Mr. Simor rather 
expected it — They converse about their new 'elation 
to God — Closed the day with devotions— Realised that 
prayer is a blessed privilege, as well as a duty. 

CHAPTER V. 



The value of a contented mind — Walking in dixy's path 
the only way to obtain, it — Mr. Simon lad never 
before fully possessed a clear conscience-His wife 
proposes having their children baptized — le is not 
much of a believer in infant baptism — Tiey argue 
the case — Mrs. Simon is silenced, but not convinced— 
Her husband proposes asking the minister ibout it- 
Conclude to ask him next evening at prayc-ineeting 
— The meeting — All gladly consent to Iweu to the 
arguments— Mr. Simon opens the subject ' >y referring 
to their conversation at home — All are g\d the ques- 
tion was proposed — Because it is not, in so many 
words, commanded in the Bible is no >roof agains t 
the doctrine, rather in its favor— Implant facts are 
frequently overlooked — Children 'ere always- 
included with their parents in all' covaants — If chil- 
dren are fit for heaven, they are entitle! to the exter- 
nal sign— the duty of parents to conscrate their off- 
spring to God by baptism— It disnguishes them 
from unbelievers — They ought to besought into the 
covenant— Mr. Simon deeply imprest! — He consents 



CONTENTS, 



co have them baptized — Parents often neglect their 
'duties toward their children — Mrs. Lane bereft of a 
child — She is no professor— Came for sympathy and 
•comfort — She felt it to be her duty to unite with the 
church — Was waiting on her husband — Mr. Alexan- 
der shows her the folly of thus waiting — Mrs. Reno 
thinks one who does not profess religion is not 
expected to be as circumspect as a professor — That is 
not the point — Mr. Alexander urges Mrs. Lane to set 
a proper example before her husband ; to pray for his 
conversion — Fears she could not keep her vows — 
Christ will assist the truly penitent soul — May bring 
all our domestic annoyances to Christ — In the church 
we receive His grace — Dark clouds gathering. 

€HAPTER VI, 



Time flies— A bounteous harvest — Mr. Lane finishing 
with his grain — His strange actions — Incoherent 
talk — Rushes to the house— Gets his pistol — Walks 
about— Attempts to take his life— Fails— Tries again 
— Succeeds — Mrs. Lane's consternation — Reason well- 
n i gh dethroned — Her convalescence— B lames hersel f 
for her husband's untimely end— Bewails her procras- 
tination — Mr. Alexander calls — She recounts • her 
griefs — He points her to Christ for comfort — Thinks 
herself too wicked to obtain forgiveness — Is haunted 
by her husband's appearance — Mistreated him — Mr- 
Alexander accuses her of misusing God as badly as 
she did her husband— This deepens her grief — Says 
she is lost — Mr. Alexander glad to hear it — She 
becomes still more miserable — Tells her that the 
worst sinner may obtain pardon— Begins to be com- 
forted — Inquires after the way of life — Is directed to 
unite with the church — Fears she is not good enough 



X12 CONTENTS, 

yet — Wants to a get religion" first — She is shown the 
unscripturalness of her views — She wants to feel 
happy — Refers to some converts — Admits that their 
feelings did not prove genuine— The most boisterous 
persons generally the least reliable — Love to Christ, 
and not the fear of hell, to be the propelling cause of 
man's conversion — She is convinced of her error, but 
is too proud to admit it — Mr. Alexander leaves her to 
meditate on the subject. 

CHAPTER VII. 



Mrs. Simon calls on Mrs. Lane — Excuses herself for not 
calling sooner — Mrs. Lane begins to relate her trou- 
bles — Mrs. Simon tells her the uselessness of it — Then 
relates her history since Mr. Alexander came to town 
— Tries to convince Mrs. Lane that it is her duty to 
unite with the church— She admits the force of the 
argument — Says that Mrs. Simon will soon be able to 
call her sister — It became true in two senses — A pause 
— Talk about other matters— Mrs. Simon goes home — ■ 
Mr. Alexander calls at Mr. Gold's — The family — The 
young man skeptical — Symptoms of consumption — 
Mr. Alexander inquires how Brother Hull is pros- 
pering—Rather slowly — Mr. Gold does not like him 
well enough to join his church— Is told not to let 
trifles keep him from doing his duty— It will be his 
own eternal loss, not Mr. Hull's — Is warned of his sin 
in hating one of God's servants — He blames the min- 
ister for being too harsh — Desires to close the conver- 
sation — Mr. Alexander closes it with a pointed admo- 
nition—Rids the family good-bye— Calls at Dr. R urns' 
— The Doctor very profane — His wife formerly a 
member of the church — Mr. Alexander cautiously 
approaches the Doctor on the subject of religion — 



w 



xiii 



EThS been in church only four times in twenty-two 
years— His reasons— Doesn't believe in the Gospel as 
preached— God is too merciful to cast man into hell- 
He is driven to the wall— Becomes angry — Uses unbe- 
coming language — Mr. Alexander leaves with a 
f r i en d ly ad m o u i t i o n , 



CHAPTER VIII, 



Time rolls on— Mr. Alexander and family visit their East- 
ern home—Great changes — Preaching in the old pul- 
pit—His feelings on looking over the congregation- 
Communion — fStrange and familiar faces— Calls on 
Father Benton and wife— Infirm— Talking about their 
heavenly home— Scarcely recognize Mr. Alexander—* 
Are glad to see him— Talk about the Master's cause- 
Mr. Benton's views of those claiming to be Chris- 
tians who do not unite with the church— Recount the 
Lord's tender mercies—Commends them to God in 
prayer— Mr. Alexander bids them farewell— Changes 
going on in the Western home — Mr. Gold confined to 
his bed— Requests a minister to be brought— His 
father objects to Mr. Hull— The son reproves him for 
harboring such feelings— Dispatches a messenger for 
Mr. Hull and Mi\ Mills— Mr, Hull arrives first— Con* 
Verses with the sick man— Finds him penitent and 
anxious about his soul— Seeking for the truth-— Is 
directed to the Saviour — Fears his inability to exer- 
cise faith— Is assured that all who truly come to 
Christ obtain forgiveness— His countenance bright- 
ens—Mr, Mills arrives— The Tempter attacks the sick 
man— He is commended to the mercy of God— Finds 
peace— Desires to be received into the church— The 
solemn scene — Mr. Gold exhorts his attendants to 



XI V 



seek the Saviour without delay — The last morning — 
Comforts his weeping parents— The solemn parting- 
Breath failing— Face beaming— A whisper— At rest. 

CHAFFEE IX. 



Mr, Alexander returns from the East — Father Benton and 
companion called home — Dr. Burns attacked by dis- 
ease — Has a foreboding — Consults the best physicians 
— Their verdict. — He could not. believe it — Consults 
. others, with the same result — Becomes melancholy — ■ 
Forbids any minister to visit him— His wife pleads— 
He is inexorable — Seeks to instruct him herself — He 
refers her to her own indifference and' neglect — She is 
greatly embarrassed — Leaves the room in humiliation 
— Hears a crash — Hastens back — Finds the Doctor 
tying on the floor — Calls medical aid — He is delirious 
— Is afraid to remain alone — The last conflict 
approaches — His terror — Imprecations — The awful 
scene — Falls silent in death — The funeral — How it 
affected the community — Reflections — Infidelity and 
Skepticism contrasted with Christianity — The believ- 
ers 1 challenge. 

CHAPTER X. 



Five years elapse— Scene in the National Hall in T 

Inscriptions — Bouquets— Music — Prayer — Exercises- 
College commencement — Mr. Marshall in the crowd — 
Wins the laurels— He designs entering the ministry- 
Goes home — Hardships endured — His father and Mr. 
Alexander await his arrival at the depot — Cordial 
greeting — Dinner at Mr. Simon's — Impatience to get 
home— Rushes into the house— Wanders through the 



CONTENTS. 



XV 



garden and orchard — Apples — Family worship — Goes 
to town frequently — Meets Mrs. Lane at his sister's— 
Bees a great change in her— Almost falls in love— 
The accident—Is carried into Mrs. Lane's house—The 
doctor says nothing serious — Goes to his sister's in a 
few days— The- widow visits quite often — Gets well — 
Prepares to return to the Seminary — Mr. Alexander 
gives him good advice — Preset ts-^-Packing his trunk 
— Parting and departing. 



CHAPTER XL 



The journey— Glorious sunset — The storm — All nature 
refreshed— Reaching the city— The hustle and confu- 
sion at the depot— Meets Dr. Garnet— Baggage secured 
—Accompanies the Doctor — Prospects for the future 
— Tea — Retires — Rises refreshed— Sets his room in 
order — Commences his studies— His sermon in the 
Chapel — He accompanies the Doctor into the country 
— Lodge at Mr. Miller's— Is introduced— Perhaps 
would like to address the Sabbath-School to-morrow — 
Decides not to —Mr. Smith, a brother-in-law to Mr. 
Miller— A moral man, but no church-member — Dr. 

Garnet has a long conversation with him— He makes 
the usual excuses— The Doctor combats him with spir- 
itual missiles— It is wrong to repudiate what God has 
enjoined — Mr. Smith caught in his own trap— Could 
make no answ r er — The Doctor still assails him with 
arguments— Mr. Smith hurls his darts — Is caught 
again— The Doctor denounces non-professors as teach- 
ers in the Sabbath-School -This stings to the quick — 
The lateness of the hour — Family devotions — Mr 
Smith reviews his past life — All retire. 



xvi 



CONTfiKTB, 



CHARTER XII. 

At the Sunday-School— Mr. Marshall feels restless— The 
Doctor asks him to address the school— Pie refubes— 
He assists the Doctor in the pulpit— Embarrassment 
—Blunders— Relief — The Doctor's sermon-— A strong 
argument against the merely moral and nominal pro- 
fessor—A sense of unfitness no just reason to remain 
out of the church — Every truly converted man is 
found in the church — Mr. Smith brought to serious 
reflection— He unites with the church— Mr. Marshall 
studies faithfully — Refuses to preach— Calls on a 
neighboring minister — Had promised to preach for 
him— Is pressed into the service— His feelings — The 
effort— The success— The final examination and licen- 
sure— Goes home— The arrival — Occupies the pulpit 
on the following Sabbath— Visits a vacant charge- 
Unanimously called — Accepts— Preaches a year— Re- 
visits home— Preaches again— The people surprised 
at his sudden appearance — Service announced for 
Thursday evening— Suspicions — Large congregation 
— Mr. Alexander preaches himself— The people won- 
der—A w T edding— Who ?— Mr. Marshall and the Widow 
Lane— Leave for their field of labor — Mrs. Marshall 
differs vastly Irom her former self— They are beloved 
by all their flock— Active and successful in building 
up the church — Taking leave of them - - Wishing 
them welL 



APPENDIX. 



minister has a varied experience— Some pleasant, oth- 
ers otherwise — Mr. Sultan, an elder in the church — 
Mr. Alexander calls on him — Is invited to accompany 
him to a neighboring town — Accepts — The conversa- 
tion — Mr. Sultan fears the congregation will go down 
— The minister cannot see why it should — Mr. Sultan 
thinks false doctrine has been preached— Mr. Alexan- 
der astonished — He has not preached heresy, but Mr. 
Blake has — He tells what it was — Gives his own view^s 
— Mr. Alexander can see no heresy, but believes the 
same doctrine — Mr. Sultan thinks infants need not be 
regenerated — Mr. Alexander makes such views appear 
ridiculous — Shows that they are sinners — Mr. Sultan 
driven to the wall —Wishes to close the conversation 
— Mr. Alexander holds that even infants must be born 
again — Proofs — Begins to see matters in a new light 
— Must consider — In town— Start home — Mr. Alexan- 
der re-opens the conversation — Old prejudices returned 
— The conversation did not take the turn he had 
intended — Explains — A man must know when he is 
converted — Gives his experience — Sorry that he had 
been catechized— iSTot converted until long afterward 
— Get the heart right, and the head will come right — 
Some ministers make a hobby of instruction — Experi- 
encing religion vs inexperienced catechumens — Feel- 



xvm 



APPENDIX. 



ings liable to deceive us — All persons are not capable 
of the same emotions — The Word of God the onh 
infallible guide — Mr. Sultan becomes exasperated — 
Claims sinless perfection — Condemns himself b} r gel- 
ling angry — Perfection not attainable in this life — 
Want of instruction endangers the happiness of the 
soul — Man must know that he is a sinner — Mr. Sul- 
tan's argument applies to the Sunday- School, Bible- 
reading and preaching as well as to cateehization — It 
gives Christians a solid foundation— In o intelligent 
person would depend on his knowledge for salvation 
— Mr. Sultan believes in the anxious-bench system — 
Speaks of its success — Mr. Alexander questions him 
— Shows its impotence — Often leads to skepticism — 
Some of its practices — Does not accord with the Apos- 
tle's teaching — Mr. Sultan thinks he has been shown 
only ihe dark side— Mr. Alexander assures him that 
there are others just as dark — A critical period — The 
blind leading the blind — The better way — Its good 
results — Mi. Sultan reviews the subject — How the 
bench sj'stem had been mysterious to him — Memory 
at work— Finally merges into the light— Changes his 
mind. 



SERMON. 



Text—Divisions— Appropriateness of the name Destroyer 
— His former state— His ruin — Brings destruction to 
angels and men — Extent of the destruction — All 
calamities caused by it— How he leads men astray — 
Only one road to ruin, but many paths— Pride — Pro- 
fanity — Morality — Christianity outside the church — 
Infidelity — Lust— -Intemperance — Man by nature igno- 
rant— Must bo instructed — The Bible the only source 



xix 



of in form a lion — Tells of sin, of salvation — The Bible 
the foundation of our civil liberty — lis destruction 
would plunge us into ruin — The policy of Rome and 
of Satan is to banish it from the land — Necessity of 
guarding it — It giids the Christian's path through 
death — It is the sinner's only guide to heaven. 



CHAPTER I, 



Mr. Alexander, a Minister of the Gospel — His early 
employment and convictions — Final triumph over all 
difficulties — He enters the Ministry — Locates in the 
West — Attracted "by a strange sound, comes to Mr. 
Simon who is drilling a well — The value of water — 
Origin of wells — Water symbolizes the Blessings of 
Salvation — Christ the door— No other way — Not 
necessary to belong to a Church — Mr. Simon a Chris- 
tian for 15 years and no church member — Keeps up 
family worship — No church suits his taste — Obedience 
to Christ the only sign of love toward him — The 
Lord's Supper a necessary requirement — Mr. Simon 
finds fault with Ministers for not inviting all christians 
to commune — Not too strict to demand church — 
Membership first— No wish that the church should go 
down — But not necessary to be a member of it — Mr. 
Alexander closes the conversation — Is invited to call 
at Mr. Simon's to continue the conversation— Accepts 
— Bid each other good-bye. 

Along the line of one of our Western rail- 
roads lies the beautiful village of D — . 

Surrounded by vast, rolling prairies, interspersed 
with groves of stunted timber, it becomes at 
once a healthy and pleasant place in which to 
live. 

In the vcar 18 — , Mr. Alexander, a minis- 



zz the Well driller ; or, 

ter of the Gospel, located in this quiet little vil- 
lage. He had been reared in a more eastern 
part of the United States, where timber grew 
thick and rank. In this he had spent days of toil in 
felling it to the ground ; also for hours had he 
dived into its dense retreats, hunting the beauti- 
ful grey and fox squirrels, not even slighting the 
large droves of well-favored wild turkeys. He 
soon found, however, that hunting game was 
not to be his employment, for he was not an 
extra marksman by any means. Only about 
every third shot took effect, the other two hit- 
ting something else. 

Since it is not our intention to write a biog- 
raphy of this gentleman, we silently pass over 
the weeks and months in which the spirit of God 
urged him to the work of the ministry ; also the 
months of anxious wrestlings that all difficulties 
might be removed, so that he might obey the 
voice of God, 

At length, however, the way was opened ; 
and, after completing his theological course at 
one of our institutions and laboring about two 
years in the State of Ohio, he located in the 
West. 



T CAN LIVE OUTSIDE, 



It was only a few weeks after his removal 
to the village above named that his attention was 
one day arrested by a dull, thudding sound in 
the outskirts of the town, and, being naturally 
of an inquisitive turn of mind, he determined to 
see what it was ; and, as the village wasn't very 
large, he soon came to the spot from whence the 
sound proceeded. 

" How do you do, sir ?" 

" Oh, pretty well. How are you getting 
along, Mr. Alexander?" 

"Very well, thank you. You seem to 
have the advantage of me, however." 

" Oh, that's quite natural, you know. We 
citizens soon learn to know a stranger that moves 
in. But we are all strangers to you ; so, of 
course, it will take some time to learn to know 
everybody in the town and neighborhood. I 
knew you had moved into town ; and, besides 
that, I was over to hear you preach last Sunday. 
My name is Simon." 

"Well," said Mr, Alexander, ^ since we 
are to live in the same town, we might as well 
become acquainted with each other at once/' 

14 Yes ; that's so. You'll find us folks 



24 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

don't stand mucli on ceremony when it comes to 
that. Besides, we rather like to have preachers 
on the list of our acquaintances." 

After exchanging a few common-place 
remarks concerning the state of the weather, 
Miv Alexander said : 

" Mr. Simon, I was attracted by the pecu- 
liar noise you were making, and so, to satisfy 
my own curiosity, came over to see what was 
going on; but I think I understand it now. 
You are drilling a well, eh ?" 

"Yes, sir; or, rather making this one 
deeper. The water in the earth seems to be 
sinking, so that wells, which a few years ago 
furnished plenty of water, are now nearly 
dry." 

"I should suppose," continued Mr. Alex- 
ander, ' 4 that it is very slow work thus drilling 
such a hole through the solid rock." 

"That depends altogether on the kind of 
rock we are working in. Sometimes it appears 
to be rather soft, then it goes pretty fast. At 
other times it is quite hard; then, of course, it 
goes pretty slow." 

"Wells are of very ancient origin," said 



i CAN LIVE OUTRIDE. 



25 



Mr. Alexander. "We find them spoken of in 
Patriarchal age, and not a few were the brawls 
and feuds which were engendered by them. 
The shepherds often strove for their possession. 
Sometimes they filled them up for each other, 
in which event it became a serious calamity. As 
the flocks and herds were frequently quite large, 
it would require a good supply of water to suf- 
fice them. Hence they were usually quite deep, 
which made it still worse for the herdsmen, since 
it would require ail the more labor to excavate 
them again. 

u Water is a very essential element, not 
merely to sustain the life of vegetation, of ani- 
mals, and mankind, but it becomes invaluable, 
also, for cleansing purposes. Hence it is fre- 
quently employed in the Scriptures to symbolize 
the blessings of salvation and eternal life. The 
Kevelator speaks of the ' river of the water 
of life and the Prophet Zeehariah tells us of a 
fountain opened in the house of David for sin 
and uncieanness.'' 

" Do you think the Prophet refers to Christ 
in His work of the atonement ?" said Mr. Simon. 

" Undoubtedly. Does it not most beauti- 



26 



THE WELL DRILLER : OR. 



fully and significantly foreshadow the washing of 
the robes and making them white in the blood of 
the Lamb? When Christ was crucified, the 
spear literally 4 opened 1 the side of the Saviour, 
from which flowed both water and blood, which 
was for the cleansing of the nations. 55 

u Then there is no other way by which we 
can be cleansed from our sins?" asked Mr. 
Simon. 

u There is not, for there is none other name 
under heaven given among men whereby we 
must be saved. Christ becomes the way, the 
truth, and the life. He also declares to us that 
He is the ' door, 5 and by Him we must enter into 
the Kingdom if we would be saved." 

" Since, then, Christ is the 'door 5 by 
which we are to enter the Kingdom, it is unes- 
sential whether we belong to the church or not, 55 
said Mr. Simon. 

u I am surprised to hear you talk so ! 55 said 
Mr. Alexander; " and I hope you do not put 
your theory into practice. Permit me to ask 
you of which of the churches in town yon are a 
member. 55 

"Fin a member of none, either in town or 
anywhere else," answered Mr. Simon. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 27 

u 1 am sorry, indeed. From the way in 
which, you engaged in the conversation, Iwas led 
to believe you to be a follower of the blessed 
Master. Is it possible that I am deceived, Mr. 
Simon V 

U I consider myself a Christian, and have 
been such for nearly fifteen years. During all 
this time I have lived as near right as I could, 
and have kept up family worship all the while, 
which is very necessary, I think." 

U I don't know, Mr. Simon, whether I 
exactly understand your position. You say you 
are no church-member, and yet have been lead- 
ing a Christian life for almost fifteen years. 
Will you please explain yourself a little ?" 

"Well, I'll tell you how it is. In the first 
place Mrs. Simon's health is so poor that it 
would be impossible for her to accompany me at 
all times and so I think it my duty to remain at 
home with her. Besides, I can, and do, spend 
the Sabbatli in reading the Bible and good books. 
And in the second place, there is no church with 
which I am acquainted that exactly comes up to 
my idea of what a church ought to be, and so I 



28 



THE WELL DRILLER • OR/ 



think I can live outside. Still, I like to hear a 
good sermon, and go to church whenever I 
conveniently can. ' ' 

"But, sir, Mr. Simon, don't you see that 
your position is very untenable ? Nay, more ; 
to be candid with you, I think it is a very sinful 
position for you to assume. You say yon 
love Christ, and yet you most emphatically 
disobey him. He tells us in his word that we 
shall 6 come out from the world, and be separate 
from sinners.' This, according to your own 
admission, you have not done. You are like a 
child which says ' Father, I love you,' and yet 
refuses to obey that father in all things. Christ 
says, 4 If ye love me, ye will keep my command- 
ments. ' And the Apostle John tells us ' He that 
saith, I know him, and keepeth not his com- 
mandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.' 
Don't you see; you are setting up your own will 
over against the wall of Christ?' You virtually 
say by your actions, £ I know better than Christ.' 
Then, again, if you are not a member of the 
church, you cannot perform all your christian 
duties. True, you may keep up your family 
altar, and read your Bible faithfully, which 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



29 



things are not only right, but necessary ; yet at 
the same time there are other, and just as 
important duties, the performance of which 
involves the necessity of standing in connection 
with the church. For instance, the Sacrament 
of the Lord's Supper is an ordinance to be found 
nowhere, save in the church ; and the Saviour, 
in almost his dying words, commanded his 
disciples to partake of this in remembrance of 
him, and to continue doing it until he should 
come again. Now, since you would doubtless 
cherish the wish of a dying friend, shall you 
treat, with indifference or contempt, the wish of 
a friend which sticketh closer than a brother? 
Look at the matter fairly, Mr. Simon, and you 
will at once see your error. ^ 

"I do not wish you to understand me in the 
sense that I wholly disregard the command of 
the Saviour, in reference to the Sacrament of the 
Holy Supper. I believe in keeping that wish of 
Christ's; and it affords me pleasure to surround 
the table of the Lord whenever I am permitted 
to do so. But the trouble with you ministers is 
that you only invite those to commune who are 
in good standing in their respective churches. 



80 



THE WELL DBILLEB J OB, 



Now I think you ouglitto be a little more liberal 
than that, and invite all those who love the Lord 
Jesus Christ.' 5 

U I must beg leave to differ very materially 
from you, 5 ' said Mr. Alexander. " We naturally 
suppose that in a land of churches, like our own, 
every christian is identified with some one of its 
different branches, hence the invitation covers the 
entire ground. We do not propose to throw open 
the doors of latitudinarianism quite so much as 
that. We judge as we see. If one does not 
comply with the first principles of discipleship, 
we have no authority to admit them to the 
Sacrament, lest they 4 eat and drink damnation to 
themselves, not discerning the Lord's body.' 
We must confess Christ before the world, for 
he that is 'ashamed to confess- Him before this 
adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall 
also the Son of Man be ashamed before His 
Father and the holy angels.' And, besides all 
this, if you can live a Christian life outside the 
church as well as in it, then others can, too, and 
what, eventually, would become of the church ? 
It would cease to exist, and prove that the g 
of hell had prevailed against her* " 



I CAX LITE OUTSIDE, 



31 



" Oh, but I don't think the church ought to 
go down, and I hope it never will. I help to 
.support it financially, and I love to hear of its 
prosperity — only I don't think it is necessary tor 
me to join it. - 5 

■ L It seems to me, Mr. Simon, that the path 
of duty in this matter is very plain ; and, if you 
err here, there is danger of being wrong at every 
other point. But, really, I am just keeping you 
from your work, and am not attending to my 
own affairs. Perhaps I may have another 
opportunity, ere long, of continuing the subject 
of our conversation, 5 ' said Mr. Alexander. 

" Can you not call at my house some even- 
ing, and we will then have a fair chance % Can 
you come next Saturday evening'?" said Mr. 
Simon. 

■ i Yes, sir. It will afford me great pleasure 
to continue this discussion. Yes, I will be 
there, the Lord vailing; so good-bye, Mr. 
{Simon. 5 ' 

" Good-bye, Mr. Alexander." 



82 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OB 



CHAPTEE II. 



Mr.Simon arguing with himself— Almost forgot his chores 
-—Busily thinking while at work — Wonders what the 
Minister thinks of him — Almost wishes he had not 
invited him over — Desires to he set right — Justifies 
himself by following Mr. Small's example who was 
once a church member — Mr. Alexander calls— Is 
cordially greeted- Introductions— Shown into the 
parlor — He likes the town — Can feel himself at home 
—We never appreciate blessings until deprived of 
them— Mr. Simon corroborates this by his own 
occupation — Begin the conversation — Mr. Simon 
refers to Mr. Small's conduct — The Minister admits 
that he is an honest man, and a good neighbor, yet 
also a dangerous man — Christianity consists in 
receiving Christ — Good works the expression of a 
grateful heart — Good works injurious to those who 
rely on them — Man might have led a moral life with- 
out Christ — Mr. Simon begins .to see matters in a 
different light — His wife gives her hearty assent to 
the Minister's views, and is thankful for the instruc- 
tion given — Mr. Simon never seriously studied the 
matter — Is shown his inconsistency for not doing so— 
Tea announced — All eat heartily — Again return to the 
room — Mr. Simon excuses himself— Mast attend to an 
errand. 

All clay on Saturday Mr. Simon was argu- 
ing with himself on the subject spoken of in 
the foregoing chapter. And as the evening 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



S3 



shadows lengthened, his mind was still more 
intensely engaged. So much so that he well- 
nigh forgot to attend to his evening chores. The 
sii n had already disappeared, when, suddenly 
recollecting himself, he sprang up and hastened out 
to the barn to set things to rights for the night 
" Barney 55 had become quite impatient for his 
supper, and was gnawing away at his manger 
with all his might. u Lofty," the gentle cow ? 
was shaking her head, and looking wistfully for 
her mess of pumpkin. Even the invincible pigs 
were enlivening things by sundry squeals and 
grunts. Hastily as he was working, owing to 
the lateness of the hour, his mind was just as 
busy. He was soliloquizing something after the 
following style : 

wonder what Mr. Alexander really 
thinks of me ? I suppose he takes me for an 
up and down ignoramus. Indeed, I am half 
ashamed of myself for expressing my views bo 
plainly. And now it won't do to yield my 
points without an argument, and I am sure 
every attempt I make to defend myself will only 
make my ignorance the more glaring. I almost 

wish I hadn't invited him over this evening ; but 
i 



o4 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 

I'm into it, and will have to do the best I can. 
I hope lie will clear up this matter, so that I 
may see my duty plainly' and clearly. 

. "I am sure, if my position is a false one, 
the sooner I know it, the better ; for I don't 
want to be running the risk of missing heaven 
by thus neglecting my duty. But then there is 
neighbor Small across the way — and I do think 
it would be difficult to find a more upright and 
honorable man than he is, and he is not a mem- 
ber of any church at present. And — yes, just 
now it occurs to me that he did belong to the 
church back East ; but, since he lives out here, 
he has never had his name entered as a member ; 
mid, surety, a man like him ought to know what 
is right, especially since he has tried both ways. 
If he is wrong, then, indeed, he does great 
harm, not only to himself, but also to others. 
The fact is, I've been looking up to him for an 
example, so that, had he joined the church, I 
verily believe that I would have done so, too." 

All this and a great deal more of the same 
nature occupied his mind while he was doing his 
evening's work. Scarcely had lie finished and 
returned into the house, when a gentle rap was 



I CAX LIVE OUTSIDE. 



heard at the door. On opening it, he at once 
recognized the minister. 

u Good evening. Brother Alexander. Walk 
in, 5 ' at the same time cordially grasping his out- 
stretched hand. 

Introductions were quickly made, and the 
minister was shown into the brilliantly-lighted 
parlor. 

After the usual passing remarks had been 
made, Mr. Simon said : 

u Well, how do you like our town by this 
time ? Do you think you can feel yourself at 
home amongst us?" 

"I am happy to say I like it very much 
indeed, and hence it will be natural for me to 
feel right at home. These neatly kept streets 
are quite pleasant to see, and those forest trees 
are quite an ornament to the town. I never 
rightly appreciated them until I came out into 
these prairies, but was always rather inclined to 
regard them as incumbrances to be got rid of as 
soon as possible, and many an one have I felled 
to the ground. But such is human nature. We 
don't know the worth of our blessings until 
after we are deprived of them. How little, for 



8b 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



instance, do we value pure air and fresh water ; 
and jet without them life would be destroyed in 
a very short time.' 5 

u Tes; that's so," remarked Mr. Simon; 
u folks often tell me they never knew the value 
of good water as long as they had plenty of it ; 
but just let their wells fail, and they are after 
me directly to help them out of their difficulty. 55 

" I believe you, Mr. Simon; and precisely 
the same may be said with regard to health and 
a great many other things. But we are not get- 
ting at the business of the evening. Where 
shall we begin, Mr. Simon? 55 

i5 I v r as just thinking of neighbor Small, 
this evening, while at my chores. You know 
him, perhaps ? 55 

U I do. What about him? 55 inquired Mr. 
Alexander. 

u Well, you know that he is a very good 
neighbor, and an honest and upright man in all 
his dealings. He goes to church frequently, 
helps support it, and yet, as you doubtless are 
aware, he is not a member of any at present, 
although he used to be while he lived in the- 
East. Now, what do you think of such a 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



37 



man ? Do yon suppose anything more is 
required of him than he is doing ?" 

6 ' As regards the first part of your state- 
ment, I most heartily concur with you. It 
would, perhaps, be difficult to find a better 
neighbor or a more upright man than he is ; yet, 
notwithstanding all that, I must regard him as a 
very dangerous man in the community. Espe- 
cially is this so from its being known that he was 
formerly a member of the church, Now, what 
inference does the world naturally draw from 
that man's conduct ? Is it not that, having tried 
both ways, he has become convinced that it is 
unessential whether a man belongs to a church 
or not ? and one such man's influence does more 
injury to the cause than does the influence of an 
openly-avowed Infidel, for this reason : All sen- 
sible persons avoid the Infidel, and hence he can 
influence only persons as silly as himself. But 
this man is liked by almost everyone, and his 
opinions are respected, and, worse than all, his 
conduct is followed by many a man who would 
sooner cut off his right hand than to be led by 
an Infidel ; and yet, you perceive, he is disobey- 
ing the commands of Christ just as much as is 



38 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

the Infidel, notwithstanding all his professions to 
the contrary. And, as to the question you ask 
concerning him, permit me to say that Chris- 
tianity consists fully as much in receiving as in 
doing. We must receive the Saviour as our 
6 Elder Brother/ and, having thus received 
Him, all the good works that we are to perform 
must flow from a grateful heart as free-will 
offerings for the love shown us — not, indeed, 
thereby to merit anything, and, in that way, 
expecting to receive, but rather, having received, 
we now show forth our gratitude by these good 
deeds. To sum up all in a single sentence, 
there is no Christ in this man ? s conduct, and 
out of Christ there is no salvation. u 

- But,'* said Mr. Simon, u according to 
what you have now said, good' works are rather 
an injury than a benefit— at least, I so under- 
stand you." 

u Undoubtedly ; for this man and thou- 
sands of others like him evidently depend on 
their morality to take them to heaven. Just so 
long as an individual does this, his good works 
prove a curse to him, for it leads him away from 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 39 

Christ, and Christ declares that without Him we 
can do nothing." 

" Do you not believe," continued Mr. Alex- 
ander, "that Christ is the way, the truth, and 
the life?" 

" Yes, sir," said Mr, Simon. 

" Very well. Now, don't you think that 
man might have led a moral life even if Christ 
had not come into the world?" 

" I don't know that I had ever thought of 
that before," said Mr. Simon; u but I suppose 
likely he could." 

u Well, then, will you please tell me why it 
was necessary for Christ to come?" 

iA Really, Mr. Alexander, you have cor- 
nered me. I begin to see this matter in a differ- 
ent light than I ever did before. Do you see the 
point, wife ?" 

" I think I do," answered his amiable lady* 
U I always did think you might be mistaken in 
your views ; but the matter was never alto- 
gether clear in my own mind. But now I see 
clearly that, if we could have saved ourselves by 
our good deeds, it would not have been neces- 
sary for Christ to come at all. Yes, husband. 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



you're wrong ; and I bless God for having sent 
His servant to show the inconsistency of your 
course.'' 

During this short conversation between hus- 
band and wife, the minister's mind was not idle ; 
so, after Mrs. Simon had concluded her remarks, 
he said : 

u Mr. Simon, will you please to tell me upon 
what authority you have based your conclusions 
that a man could lead a Christian life out of the 
church as well as in it ? Do you get it from 
God's Word?" 

u I don't know, Mr. Alexander, that I have 
any particular authority more than my own con- 
clusions on the subject." 

" Will you be so kind as to give me the 
process of reasoning which led you to this con- 
clusion?" said Mr. Alexander. 

u I don't know that I can. In fact, I have 
never thought the matter over seriously." 

u That is just what I thought, Mr. Simon. 
I was sure you did not get it from the Bible, and 
I did not think you ever heard it from the 
pulpit." 

" You say," continued Mr. Alexander, 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



n 



" that you have never thought the matter over 
seriously. !Now, do you act so in other affairs I 
— in drilling wells, for instance ? You, doubt- 
less, thought the matter over carefully before 
you engaged in it, and it was only after you had 
fully satisfied yourself as to its remunerative- 
ness that you began it. Is not that so ?" 
" Yes, sir." 

44 Is, then, the salvation of your soul of less 
consequence to you than your present occupa- 
tion \ Surely you do not think so ; and yet wliat 
have you done ? For days, perhaps, or even 
weeks, you studied, planned, and devised — took 
into consideration the probabilities for and 
against success. This was all right and proper ; 
but is it not infinitely more important to solve 
this problem : c What shall it profit a man if he 
shall gain the whole world, and lose his own 
soul?' And yet, alas! instead of first seeking 
the Kingdom of God, men have reversed the 
order, and seek first the kingdom of this 
world." 

At this point in the conversation, the house- 
maid announced that tea was ready. Accord- 
ingly they all adjourned to the kitchen to supply 



42 THE WELL DitlLLER ; Oil. 

the wants of the physical man. After a bless- 
ing had been invoked by the minister, the whole 
company ate heartily of the wholesome and deli- 
cious food which, had been prepared. 

The conversation during tea time was of a 
very pleasant and interesting character. The 
minister detailed some of the thrilling scenes 
through which he had passed, both before and 
since he had entered the ministry. Some of the 
adventures excited great mirtlifulness. 

HaA'ing finished the repast, Mr. Simon 
requested the minister to return to the parlor and 
make himself at home, remarking that he had 
forgotten an important errand which must neces- 
sarily be attended to, and begged to be excused 
for a few minutes. The minister spent the time 
of his host's absence in walking back and forth 
in the room by way of exercise, stopping now and 
then to examine some picture or natural curiosity, 
of which there were quite a number in the 
room. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



43 



CHAPTER III. 



. Simon goes into a. store — The crowd and conversation 
— The Grange Movement under discussion — Getting 
boisterous — Making more of the Grange than of the 
Church— Mr. Simon speaks — Getting still more over- 
bearing — Mr. Simon persuades his brother in-law, Mr. 
Marshall, to go home with him — Introduces him to 
the Minister — Mr. Alexander asked to give his views of 
the movement — Makes a few statements — Mr. Marshall 
not at church for two years — His reasons — No clothes 
fit — The people so ''-stuck up" — Mr. Alexander replies 
—Don't look at the fine clothes — They will be good 
enough to die in, some day — Mr. Marshall thinks 
ignorance of duty excuses responsibility — Is shown 
the inconsistency and sinfulness of such views — All 
men are responsible to God — He says thsre are so 
many hypocrites in the church — Mr. Alexander tells 
him of what such excuses remind him — The hypoc- 
risy of others will not justify him — Every one to give 
an account for themselves — Man is responsible even 
before making a profession — Erring christians repent 
amid groans and tears — Can the church save ? — Reply 
— Forms not religion — But necessary for its existence 
— Must not separate the two — Illustrated by the human 
body — God always works by means — The world looks 
for some external evidence— God's glory demands it — 
Mr. Simon admits that he had been following his own 
way, and not God's — Is exhorted to flee to Christ 
—Promises to unite with the church— Mr. Marshall 



44 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



must have time to coDsider — Is also exhorted to act 
promptly — Conclude the interview with fervent prayer 
— They separate. 

In a short time Mr. Simon returned from 
his errand which had taken him to one of the 
stores in town ; and, by the way, kind reader, 
that errand proved to be a very important one. 
Let ns, at the risk of making a break in our 
narrative, take a peep into that store when Mr. 
Simon entered it. 

There, around the stove, sat a whole com- 
pany of men. Farmers, mechanics and loafers 
were so mixed and mingled as to defy identifica- 
tion in the dim light. The subject of the conver- 
sation was the Grange, or Patrons of Husbandry 
organization. Some were advocating it with all 
the logic and rhetoric which their rural cranium s 
contained. Others, of course, who had been 
making their livelihood in the capacity of 
u Middlemen," denounced the whole affair as a 
humbug and a nuisance, 

" It's notliin' but a 'lectioneerin/ scheme," 
said the little Mr. Mellicks. 

" Humph," said Mr. Barbee ; " you're only 
afraid that your good-for-nothin' agents will git 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



45 



kicked higher' n a kite. It's jist what you ought 
to have. You've sponged off'n us farmers long 
enough. We're goin' to git the freights and 
tariffs cut down, and break up all these 
big monoplies. ' ' 

"Yes; and we'll git the majority in the 
the legislater about the next 'lection,- and the 
way they'll go fer these green-shiimed lawyers. 
Sakes, I'd like to be one of 'em," said Mr. 
Marshall. 

"Your Granges may all be well enough," 
said Mr. Simon, who now joined in the conver- 
sation. " I know there is too much advantage 
taken in all kinds of business, and I would like 
to see things changed ; but there is clanger of 
running this thing too far. Why, I know men 
who are so wrapped up in this movement that 
they are perfect monomaniacs ; and some that I 
know have even become careless about church 
matters, and really think more of the Grange 
than they do of the Church ! ' ' 

This remark would have had a better effect 
had he himself not been so indifferent in church 
matters. But thus it frequently happens men 
try to pull the mote out of others' eyes, but see 
not the beam in their own. 



40 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 

"I shouldn't think, 5 - said Mr. Barbae, 
u that any sensible man would let the Grange, 
or any other sich institution, keep 'im away from 
elnjreh." 

" Yes, but they do, though, 5 ' said Mr. Mel- 
licks. "It's perfectly sickenin 5 to see 'em. 
They'll go through rain and shine to their geth- 
erin 5 s, but jist let it be a little cloudy or a little 
hot of a Sunday morniii 5 , and ten chances to one 
if the half of 5 em don't stay at home readin 5 
their Grange books, or mebby go over to their 
neighbors, and they'll throw together and send 
off sornewdiere for a bar 5 l of molasses or coal 
oil. Pshaw! 55 

fC Yes, it only spites you, Mellicks, that you 
can't git things as cheap as we can," said Mar- 
shall. 

u I kin by takin' the same kind of goods," 
returned Mellicks. 

" You can't, and you know it, too ; and I 
think if I w T as you I'd keep still," said Mar- 
shall. 

Thus these men went on, each side becom- 
ing more and more overbearing in their manner, 
until they became quite wrothy, and it is diffi- 



I CAN LIAE OUTSIDE. 



47 



cult to tell what might have been the result had 
not Mr. Simon succeeded in getting Marshall to 
go home with him. Hence, when our host- 
returned, as above stated, he was accompanied 
by Mr. Marshall, who was duly introduced to the 
minister. 

" Pardon me. Brother Alexander, for leav- 
ing you alone so long, but my friend Marshall, 
here, was so busy talking over in the store that I 
could hardly get away with him."" 

" May I be so bold as to inquire what the 
subject of the conversation was?" asked Mr. 
Alexander. 

u Oh, they were discussing the Grange 
movement/' said Mr. Simon. M What might 
be Brother Alexander's views on the subject:" 

"I am not usually in the habit of discuss- 
ing questions of that kind, and I know nothing 
whatever of the internal workings of any of the 
secret orders of our country ; but, judging from 
the actions of many who belong to them, they 
lay fully as much, if not more, stress upon them 
as they do upon the church. This is all wrong. 
It is virtually repudiating the Divine institution 
of the church, and placing a merely human one 



48 THE WELL DRILLER ; OK, 

in its stead ; and any and everything that detracts 
from the church is not from above, but is 
'earthly, sensual, devilish.' These orders may 
be good enough in themselves,, but they do lead 
some men astray. For such men they are a 
curse, and hence should be avoided." 

" My friend, here, believes in them quite 
strongly," said Mr. Simon. 

u Ah, indeed! May I inquire of you, Mr. 
Marshall, whether you are one of the number who 
lay more stress on these orders than they do on 
the church ?" 

" "Well, to tell you the truth, I don't build 
as strongly on erry one as some men do. As 
for the church, I don't know much about it. I 
ha'n't been to church for two years. Perhaps 
you may think it strange to hear me say it, but 
it's so." 

u Yes, sir," said the minister, "I do think 
it very strange to hear you say so. But why is 
it so, Mr. Marshall?" 

' ' Well, I used to go to the church in our neigh- 
borhood, but the people were all so stuck up that 
I didn't like to go ; and, besides that, I haven't 
clothes good enough, and I don't want to bor- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



49 



row money to get them, and then always be 
afraid that the sheriff would be after me for the 
clothes on my back. ' 5 

u As to the clothes, Mr. Marshall, that 
should not keep you away from church, for we 
don't go there to look at the people's fine 
clothes. Besides, your clothes will be good 
enough for you to die in some day. Why, then, 
not live in such a way that you need not fear tbe 
monster Death ? for, of the two, the sheriff could 
certainly be got rid of the easiest. 5 ' 

"I think, though, if I don't go to church 
and find out what my duty is, God can't ask so 
much of me, for where much is given much is 
required. ' ' 

" Yes, that is true, friend Marshall — where 
much is given much is required. But, if you 
willfully close your eyes and ears when the truth 
is brought to your very door, you are doubly 
guilty. You are like the man that hid his tal- 
ent in the earth, thinking thereby to avoid the 
responsibility of having to return a large amount 
to his Master. God has given you your senses 
in order to use them for His glory and your good. 
If now He places the word of life before you, and 



50 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



urges you to become a partaker of its blessedness, 
whose fault will it be if you fail to obtain eternal 
life?" To this remark Mr. Marshall made no 
reply, and so the minister . continued : "You 
have said that if you remaip. away from church, 
and so do not learn what your duty is, you will not 
be accountable. Now, the very fact that you 
think so, m already proof that you think there are 
duties for you to perform toward God. Yes, my 
friend, you in this very way admit that you know 
that you are under certain obligations to God, 
and you are merely trying to prevent duty from 
becoming clear in your mind. You know that 
you ought to love God and serve Him. You 
know, also, full well that sooner or later you will 
have to leave this world and meet your slighted 
God, to give an account for neglecting these priv- 
ileges of becoming fully acquainted with His re- 
quirements. Now, what will you say when He 
shall "demand a reason for your conduct?" 

" What you say, Eeverend, is all well 
enough, but I'm not a bit worse than some folks 
who are church members. Yes, I'm better than 
some of 'em," said Mr. Marshall. 

"I perceive," said Mr. Alexander, "that 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



51 



you are singing the old, threadbare song of un- 
worthy or inconsistent professors. It is truly 
strange that men will hold this before them as a 
lawful excuse why they shall refuse to do their 
own duty. This plea always makes me think of 
comparing him who makes it to a vulture. These 
ravenous birds subsist largely upon carrion, and 
they will fly for hours over a flock of nice, thrifty 
sheep without seeming to notice them, but just 
let them get their eye on a sickly or dead one, 
and they will at once descend, and enjoy a most 
delicious treat. We freely, yet sorrowfully admit 
that there are unworthy professors in the church, 
but will their hypocrisy justify you in making no 
profession at all ? You say you are as good as 
they are, and yet, according to your own admis- 
sion, they are not what they ought to be. Hence 
your doom will be the same as theirs. 5 ' 

a Would it not be better to make no profess- 
ion at all, than to make one and then not live up 
to it ?" asked Mr. Marshall. 

" You go upon the assumption that you 
would be a hypocrite, too, if you joined the 
church," said the minister. " It is true, the crime 
of hypocrisy is, perhaps, more aggravating than 



52 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



the crime of non-professing, yet you must not think 
that man only becomes accountable for his actions 
after he has made a profession. I know there 
are thousands who are inclined to believe that as 
long as they have not professed to love Christ, 
they are not responsible for their actions ; but be 
assured, my friend, this is only one of the devices 
of the devil to keep you from performing your 
duties. The times of this ignorance God winked 
at, but now commands all men everywhere to 
repent. You are morally bound to love God, 
whether you are a member of His church or not. 
Bound, because He has created you. Bound, 
because He gave His only-begotten son to redeem 
you, and sent the Holy Ghost to guide you into 
all truth. Now, then, if you refuse to become a 
member of His church, you sin against Him right 
here, in that you willfully disobey His command- 
ments, slight His invitations, and rebel against 
His government. This is all wrong." 

"But isn't it discouraging to see so many 
hypocrites in the church, and enough to make 
one feel as though he would rather have nothing 
to do with it?" asked Mr. Marshall. 

" It is discouraging, that is very true ; hence 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



58 



all the more necessary is it that yon should be a 
consistent Christian, thereby encouraging those 
who are faithful, and setting a good example be- 
fore the unfaithful. There are many persons in 
our country who disregard its laws, and who are 
unworthy the name of Americans, and yet you 
do not on that account refuse to be a citizen of 
the United States. And, doubtless, you have 
some men in your society who are not good 
'Grangers, 5 and yet you do not therefore cease 
to be one yourself, but rather feel the greater 
necessity of standing up firmly in support of its 
principles and laws. No, my friend, it will not 
do to let this keep you out of the church. It will 
not be asked in the great day whether there were 
any hypocrites in the church, but, have you been 
a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
What matters it to you if there are unworthy 
professors ? since every man shall give an account 
to God for himself. 'Be thou faithful until 
death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 5 You 
must remember the church is surrounded by sin 
of every description, and that so long as this is 
the case there will be more or less of it within 
her. Was there not a Judas among the twelve 



54 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



disciples — one for whom it had been ' good if he 
had never been born' — but did that justify the 
other disciples to forsake Christ, or excuse others 
from becoming his followers ? O, no, not by any 
means. Besides all this, you see as a general 
thing, only the rough part of the man. You 
hear Peter denying his Master in the midst of 
swearing and cursing, but you have overlooked 
the bitter tears of repentance that flowed clown 
his cheeks. You see the inconsistencies and mis- 
steps of the professing Christian, but do you wit- 
ness the contrition, and hear the sobbings of a 
broken heart ? Do you know what passes be- 
tween the soul of the erring Christian and the 
loving Master, as in their closets they bewail 
their misdoings with groanings which cannot be 
uttered ? Ah ! my friend, judge not your fellow- 
men too uncharitably, since you see not how they 
deplore their failings. Then, again, why should 
you not take the consistent professor for your 
human pattern ? Why not say, I'll live as con- 
scientiously before God as he does ? Would it 
not be more becoming in you to acknowledge the 
virtues of the faithful, and try to imitate them, 
instead of following the example of the weakest 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



00 



and most imperfect of men ? Come, my friend, 
be honest with yourself. Isn't it because yon 
care nothing about the concerns of your soul ?" 

" Well, perhaps, there may be something in 
that," said Mr. Marshall. 

" Then how terrible is your condition ; how 
great your ingratitude and sin ? God, out of pnm 
love, and through the sacrifice of His son, has 
opened a way for you to secure eternal life, and 
all this without money and without price on your 
part, demanding only faith and obedience from 
you ; and yet how slow to give him your affec- 
tions?" 

"Do you believe, Mr. Alexander, that the 
church has the power to make a man good ?" 

u You wish to know, I presume, Mr. Mar- 
shall, whether, in order to be a Christian, one 
must necessarily be a member of the church. Is 
that your meaning?" 

"Well, my idea is," said Mr. Marshall, 
" that religion doesn't consist in forms and cere- 
monies as you have them in the church, and 
therefore I don't think that they are so necessary 
but that they may be left aside." 

u I perceive," said Mr. Alexander, "that 



56 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



you are veering around to the point at which I 
found your friend Simon, here, a few days ago. 
It is an excuse that we often meet with, and it 
has often kept well-meaning persons from dis- 
charging their duties toward God. It has long 
been a standing wonder to me why men, who are 
intelligent enough in other respects, persist in 
urging this as a reason for their not uniting with 
the church. Now let us see what there is in it. 
I presume you admit that the church is a divine 
institution, having been established by God Him- 
self for some good and wise purpose. For, please 
remember, that God is not like unto us who 
sometimes do certain things without a good reas- 
on, but everything that is done by Him is wise 
and necessary. Now, do you think that God in- 
stituted the church for nought ? By no means. 
But it was done for the purpose of gathering His 
children together, in order that they might be 
separate from the world, and that He might grant 
them special blessings, It is quite true, the mere 
empty forms of the church are of no benefit to us, 
but you do wrong in thus separating the form 
from the spirit and life. It is declared in the 
word, that it is the ' spirit that quickeneth, the 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



57 



flesh profit etli nothing. ' And, by the way, this 
passage is used to support the views you enter- 
tain. But would you be willing to apply this 
passage in a literal sense as regards the person 
of man \ I do not believe you would. And yet, 
why not ? You admit that the body (flesh) of a 
man is of no profit after the spirit is gone, and yet 
would you attempt to say that it is of no profit 
while the spirit is within it I Certainly you would 
not. What do you suppose was the reason that 
God first formed the body of Adam, before He 
gave him the spirit or life ? Because it was nec- 
essary to have an abode for the spirit. Just as 
you cannot have a perfect man without a form or 
body, so you cannot conceive of a living Chris- 
tianity without forms and ceremonies. We are 
creatures of sense, and need something for our 
senses to take hold of in order to have a proper 
conception of the thing to be believed. Hence, 
God, in establishing His spiritual kingdom, 
clothed it with external forms. And, unless we 
are willing to assume the awful responsibility of 
charging God with the epithet of 'formalist,' it 
becomes us to receive His commands and insti- 
tutions with respect and reverence. Who is man, 



58 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



that he should dare to say to his Maker, ' Thou 
hast burdened us with useless forms?' 55 

Here the minister paused for a few moments, 
as if waiting for some one to say something, but 
as no one ventured a remark, he resumed : 

u Whilst God is all-powerful, yet it pleased 
Him to manifest that power through certain 
channels, or by certain means. When, for ex- 
ample, God wished to lead His people through 
the Red Sea, He might have divided its waters 
by the simple exercise of His will, but He caused 
Moses to stretch out his hand over it, before he 
caused the sea to go back by a strong wind. And 
when they were in the wilderness, and needed 
water, He might easily have provided it for them 
without any external manifestation, yet He com- 
manded Moses to smite the rock, and lo, the 
waters gushed out. That blow given to the rock, 
considered apart from the divine will, would 
never have produced the life-giving current. The 
same is true in regard to the means used in the 
conquest of Jericho, and the victory of Gideon 
over the Midianites. 

u When Naaman was to be cured of his 
leprosy, he must wash seven times in Jordan — 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



59 



not because its water was better than that of the 
river of Damascus ; nor was it because of the 
washings he received, but it was the external 
manifestation of the secret power of an omnipo- 
tent God. It was the means by which he de- 
termined to cure this man." 

"Then," said Mr. Simon, who had hitherto 
been a silent, but interested, listener, "you re- 
gard the forms in religion as a means to an end, 
and that end is, the salvation of our souls ?•" 

"Yes, sir," said Mr. Alexander; "and be- 
sides this, we ought to have an eye to the glory 
of God. And He has promised to honor them 
that honor Him. 

"Then, too, you should remember that the 
world looks for some such evidence as a proof 
that we are Christians. By observing these ex- 
ternals, you not only honor God, and receive His 
covenant blessings, but you at the same time lend 
your influence to the church. And, surely, this 
is no trifling matter, for you just said this even- 
ing that you were influenced by Mr. SmalPs con- 
duct. Now, as long as you stand aloof from the 
church, others will be governed by your actions^ 
so that it may truly be said of you that you en- 



60 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



tered not yourself, and those that would have 
entered you hindered. Remember, also, the 
Saviour said, ' He that is not for me, is against 
me ; and he that gathereth not with me, scat- 
tereth abroad,' and you know the doom of those 
who are against Christ." 

"I see now," said Mr. Simon, "that I have 
not faithfully discharged all the duties that de- 
volve on a Christian. I have been following my 
own way, and not God's." 

" That is just it exactly," said Mr. Alexan- 
der. ' 'And in all these fifteen years, you have 
not only vainly tried to serve God, but you have 
really been helping the devil to pull down the 
church so far as your influence goes. Now, there 
is but one thing that you ought to do, and that is 
fly to Jesus for pardon, and without delay join 
some society of Christians, and thus give your 
prayers and influence to Christ's church. What 
do you think of the advice, my friend?" 

"I believe you are right," said Mr. Simon, 
< 4 and, God helping me, I will enter His church,- 
and thus honor His ordinances." 

""What does my friend, here, say to this ?" 
said the minister, addressing Mr. Marshall. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



61 



" 0, I can't say anything against your reas- 
oning, but I must have time to think about the 
matter before I can decide." 

"We should never engage in anything," 
said Mr. Alexander, " without carefully consider- 
ing it, much less in a matter so important as re- 
ligion. Only don't neglect to act after you have 
weighed it in your own mind ; for the time is 
short in which to prepare for the reward of an 
endless eternity." 

This last remark was not a vain one, for it 
rang in Mr. Marshall's ears as a friendly monitor, 
reminding him of the great necessity of working 
out his salvation. 

The clock having struck nine, Mr. Alexander 
j)roposed that they engage in family devotions 
and then retire. To this they all assented. So 
after reading a portion of scripture, the minister 
poured out his heart in gratitude to God ibr the 
social enjoyment of the evening, and fervently be- 
sought the Master to bless the conversation to the 
mutual benefit of all who heard it, praying that 
God's choicest blessings might rest upon the 
family and brother, and that He would grant His 



62 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



grace so that the good resolutions made might be 
carried into effect. 

So, after exchanging their mutual good 
wishes for each other's welfare, they separated 
for the night, each one feeling that they had spent 
a profitable evening. And during the waking 
moments of these friends the thoughts of the 
evening passed through their minds, and that it 
was not without its good results will appear as we 
proceed with our narrative. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



63 



CHAPTER IV. 



A delightful morning — Mr. Simon asks his wife to accom- 
pany him to church — She consents — He reiterates his 
intention to unite with the church — She will join with 
him — His mind undergoing conviction since the 
conversation at the well— Tiie people thronging to 
church — Their decorous behavior— The sermon — 1. 
Christ the head— 2. The church the body — 3. We the 
members — The head necessary to life — Union with the 
head is through the body — Something wrong when 
persons refuse to unite with the church — Mr. and Mrs. 
Simon resolve to unite at the first opportunity — They 
take this step — Mr. Marshall in the congregation — 
His mind considerably agitated — The tempter seeks 
to quiet his conscience — Wishes himself m Mr 
Simon's place at the altar of consecration — Can no 
longer resist — Comes forward after all have communed 
— Mr. Alexander's embarrassment — Blended the 
ceremonies of confirmation and communion — A 
blessed meeting — Mr. Simon rejoices that his eyes have 
been opened to the truth — Mrs. Simon surprised at 
her brother's sudden resolution — Mr. Simon rather 
expected it — The} r converse about their new relation 
to God — Closed the day with devotions — Realized that 
prayer is a blessed privilege, as well as a duty. 

The next morning dawned clear and crisp, 
the frost lay profusely on roof, walk and ground, 



64 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



and even the little twigs of the trees had clothed 
themselves with a magnificent dress of frost-work, 
which, in the sunlight, not only richly exhibited 
the prismatic colors, but shone like myriads of 
the purest diamonds. Even the most casual ob- 
server of nature's beauties could not help admiring 
the gorgeous scenes And none but the most con- 
temptible Atheist could gaze upon this delightful 
display of the handiwork of God without being 
convinced of the existence of an intelligent u First 
Cause." 

" Wife, do you feel well enough to accom- 
pany me to church to-day?" asked Mr. Simon, 
as they w r ere eating breakfast. c ' I think this 
pure, fresh air would do you good, besides we 
w^ould doubtless both be benefited spiritually by 
going to hear a sermon." 

' 6 Yes, I think I feel strong enough to go ; 
and since the conversation last night, I feel that 
it is my duty to attend whenever it is at all pos- 
sible to do so. And, G-od helping me, I shall 
unite with his church the first opportunity I 
have." 

" And you shall not be alone when that time 
comes," said Mr. Simon; "for I, too, have re- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



65' 



solved henceforth to give my influence to the. 
Lord's cause." 

These remarks were made in tones of deep 
earnestness. An entirely new state of feeling had 
gradually been coming over Mr. Simon ever since 
that first conversation with the minister at the. 
well. And, although he had not spoken of it to 
any one, not even his wife, yet his mind was un- 
dergoing a deep-settled conviction that his con- 
duct for the past ten or twelve years had been 
anything but consistent, but it was not until after 
that evening's interview that his convictions as* 
sumed the form of a resolve to come out from the 
world and publicly profess his faith in Christ. 

As the hour of ten drew near, the rumble o£ 
carriages and wagons broke the quiet of the vil- 
lage. Some of them had come for miles, and 
hence could not be governed by the ringing of the 
bell in the church to wer. And farmers are ear- 
lier risers than town people, so they usually get 
to the church long before the services begin. 

At length the clear-toned bell gave the signal 
that only ten minutes remained before the service 
would begin. Suddenly, as if by magic, the side- 
walks were dotted with groups of men, women. 

3 



66 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



and children, all going briskly, yet reverently, 
toward the sanctuary of God. And could you, 
kind reader, have taken a survey of that congre- 
gation how differently would it have looked from 
many other assemblies of a similar kind. No 
loud talking or laughing by those who had been 
there for half an hour already ; but all sat quietly 
and solemnly, as in the presence of the great 
■"'King of Kings, and Lord of Lords." And if 
some of our would-be well-bred gentlemen had 
been there they would have received a most ef- 
fectual rebuke from those farmers' sons — for these 
all reverently uncovered their heads as s^on as 
the threshold was crossed. But who has not 
been pained by seeing young men sitting for fif- 
teen or twenty minutes with their hats on, as 
though the house of God were a less honorable 
or sacred place than the parlor of a friend! 

As the words, "The Lord is in His Holy 
Temple" were spoken in the rich, full voice of 
the minister, the response went up from many a 
heart: "This is none other than the house of 
God. This is the gate of Heaven." 

And, as the minister read the twelfth chapter 
of PauPs First Epistle to the Corinthians, at least 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



67 



two of his auditors had a premonition of what 
the discourse would be. The text proper was 
the twenty-second and twenty-third verses of the 
Epistle to the Ephesians, first chapter, to which 
was also taken the twenty-seventh verse of the 
chapter read. From these passages, he deduced 
the logical conclusions — 

I. That Christ is the head. 
II. The church is the body, and 

III. We are the members. 

From these propositions he argued faithfully 
and unanswerably that u there could be no safety 
out of Christ ; nay, that so long as the individual 
does not possess Christ as his portion, he must 
remain morally dead. Just as there can be no 
life when the head is severed from the physical 
body, so without Christ man cannot be made 
alive. Christ plainly declares to us that without 
Him we can do nothing. And the reason of 
this is plain, because we are all by nature 6 dead 
in trespass and in sin ; ? and it is only when 
'Christ, who is our life,' shall appear to us in 
all His excellence and loveliness that we shall 
be made truly alive ; for, 4 except ye eat the 
flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood 3 



68 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

ye have no life in you.' As we may learn 
from tlie art of grafting that, in order that the 
cion may grow, it must partake of the sap or 
life of the stock, and as the stock is the source 
of life to the cion, so is Christ the fountain of all 
life. He came into the world to 4 bring life and 
immortality to light.' And our Apostle tells us 
in his writings : ' I am crucified with Christ, 
nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liyeth 
in me. ' We must, therefore, if we wish to live 
eternally, look to Christ as the head — nay, not 
only look to Him, but must be ingrafted into 
Him by being joined to His body, which is the 
Church. Let us illustrate our propositions by 
the human being. To be a perfect man he must 
have a head, a body, and members. Now, take 
off the head, and the body and' members soon 
undergo decomposition. Take off an arm, or a 
limb, and the member thus separated from the 
head and body perishes — not because it has lost 
its identity (for it still retains this), but because 
it has been severed from the source of its life. 
Now, the arm, or the limb, is not a member of 
the head independent of the body, but its union 
with the head is through or by means or the 
body. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



<>9 



" Apply this to the subject before us, and it 
teaches the all-important lesson that, if we 
desire to be spiritually alive, we must be joined 
to the head, which is Christ ; and this can only 
be by being a member of the body, which is the 
Church. Thus we obtain not only a statue of 
symmetrical beauty, but also the symbol of 
unity and strength ; for, as in the human body 
all the members have not the same office, so in 
the mystical body there are 4 diversities of gifts, ' 
yet all by the same spirit, or life. 

u Let me urge upon you, my hearers, the 
absolute necessity of complying with the estab- 
lished order of grace. I beg of you not to set 
up and follow your own notions in reference to 
this matter, since the ' Great Head ' has so faith- 
fully declared His will concerning us. I cannot 
but think that life is more desirable to you than 
death. Of yourselves you cannot secure life, 
since ye are c dead in trespasses and in sin. 5 
Disobedience was the knife, so to speak, that 
severed the member from the body, and it must 
and will forever remain fruitless and dead unless 
it is restored to its proper position in the body. 
Then will the life of the head reanimate it, and 



7 0 THE WELL DRILLER ; OK, 

then will that which was withered and dead 
become vigorous and fruitful, so that the dresser 
of the vineyard may gather rich clusters from 
the branches. 

" Have any of you, my hearers, beeii 
indulging the mistaken idea that union with the 
church is unessential to a union with Christ, let 
me ask you, Why, then, did God establish it, 
and why did Christ - give Himself for it?' Why 
is it written, c The Lord loveth the gates of Zion 
more than all the dwellings of Jacob V And 
why, if the church is not the very birthplace of 
the saints, is it recorded : ' And of Zion it shall 
be said, This and that man was born in her : and 
the Highest Himself shall establish her. The 
Lord shall count, when He writeth up the peo- 
ple, that this man was born there. All my 
springs are in thee? 5 

4 ' Now, in view of these facts, what greater 
insult can man offer to God than by thus virtu- 
ally saying, 6 T will not regard that institution 
which Thou didst establish for my good. I will 
not love it sufficiently to enter it, even though 
Christ died for it?' Does it not savor of blas- 
phemy for depraved humanity thus to challenge 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



71 



God's love and wisdom ? And yet this is done 
in Christian lands, and Bible in hand. 

u Be warned, fellow-pilgrim to eternity. 
Consider well before you peril your eternal 
interests upon such a sandy foundation. Behold, 
now, 6 what confidence is this wherein thou 
trustedst ? Thou sayest, I have counsel and 
strength tor the war. Now, behold, thou trust- 
est upon the staif of this bruised reed, on which 
if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and 
pierce it. 5 55 

Thus, by these and many other admoni- 
tions, did the man of God endeavor to lead his 
congregation in the way of life and of God's 
appointment. In all that attentive audience, 
none listened with more earnestness than our 
friends, Mr. Simon and wife. The spirit of 
God, which had in the last few days led them to 
serious reflection, and at length to a willingness 
to resolve, now implanted within them a longing 
desire to put those resolutions into practice ; 
and hence, a few weeks later, a joyful congrega- 
tion was assembled in the church to witness the 
ceremony of receiving them into the visible 
church. 



"72 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



Having heard of their intentions, Mr. Mar- 
shall once more braved the danger of having the 
sheriff after him for his clothes, and found him- 
self in the midst of that expectant assembly. 
Eagerly did he watch and listen to all that w^as 
said or done. During the discourse his mind 
became considerably agitated in regard to the 
great concerns of his soul ; and as the minister 
occasionally repeated his text — "Almost thou 
persuadest me to be a Christian," and as he pic- 
tured before their imagination the awful despair 
of a soul almost in heaven to be cast altogether 
into hell, the Spirit urged him not to rest satis- 
fied until he was altogether a Christian. But 
liere the old adversary was busy, saying to him : 
"Why be so serious about this matter now? 
There is time enough yet ; only rest easy. You 
;are beginning to go to church occasionally, and 
surely you are getting on quite fast enough. 
Besides, the danger isn't as great as these min- 
isters would have yon believe, for are there not 
many persons w 7 ho are good, moral men, and 
who are more exemplary than many professors ? 
And then, too, it is not necessary for you to 
come out publicly and confess Christ. Besides 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



7a 



all tins, you are a good member of the Grange, 
and you know that some of your members pre- 
fer going there, and have very little interest in 
the church any more ; and surely it would look 
more consistent in you to stay out of the church 
entirely than to join it and then become indiffer- 
ent to its claims." 

Thus did this arch fiend and destroyer sorely 
beset this awakened conscience. Yet the Good 
Spirit was also striving for the mastery ; and 
when his friends, Mr. Simon and wife, knelt at 
the altar of consecration, he almost wished 
himself beside them. But, when the minister 
laid his right hand upon the head of Mr. 
Simon, saying, ' 4 The very God of peace sanc- 
tify you wholly, and I pray God your whole 
soul and body be preserved blameless until the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is 
He that calleth you, who also will do it," he 
said to himself, " Would that it were my head 
upon which this blessing is spoken." 

But he was not the only one in that congre- 
gation who was visibly affected. For in the sacred 
stillness which reigned in that house one could 



74- 



THE WELL DEILLEU ; 0U f 



almost hear the spirit's voice telling of u sin, of 
righteousness, and of a judgment to come." 

And when the followers of Christ gathered 
around the table to " show the Lord's death," 
many a moistened eye was to be seen in that 
assembly. And when all had communed, and 
the minister was taking the elements, his atten- 
tion was arrested by a sobbing noise near him ; 
and, looking up, there stood Mr. Marshall, and 5 
strong man as he was, he was sobbing like a 
child, and trembling like an aspen leaf, literally 
broken down, and in the depths of his soul desir- 
ing God to be merciful to him, a sinner. 

As may well be imagined, such an unlooked 
for circumstance rather embarrassed Mr. Alex- 
ander, for he had been in the ministry only a 
few years, and hence had not so varied an expe- 
rience as those who have long been in the Mas- 
ter's service. 

In the haste of the moment, he gave Mr. 
Marshall the bread ; then, suddenly recollecting 
that he was not confirmed, was all the more con- 
fused, as to whether he should stop here and for- 
mally receive him before giving him the wine, or 
whether he should let him commune first and 



i CAN LIVE OUTSIDE; 



75 



Confirm him afterward. As there was no time to 
give mature judgment in the matter, he blended 
the two ceremonies. 

And, although he did not lay his hand on 
the applicant's head and pronounce the beautiful 
benediction over him, as he did upon Mr. Simon 
and wife, yet he no less realized that Christ is 
truly precious to him that believeth. And when 
the congregation dispersed, each child of God 
conveyed with himself or herself the blessing of 
great joy. And even the worldly-minded were 
impressed that it was good to be there. 

" This is the happiest day of my life," said 
Mrs. Simon to her husband, after they had re- 
turned from church. u I feel as though I were 
only just beginning to live." 

" Well, isn't it true that you are just begin- 
ning to live, spiritually?" answered her husband. 

"For my part," he continued, u I never, in 
all my life, felt more like blessing God for His 
goodness than I do this day. How foolish I was 
to imagine that I could be a Christian and yet 
live in continued disobedience against God. No 
wonder that in all these years I failed to realize 
fully that 4 peace which passeth all understand- 



76 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



ing, 5 I was seeking it in my own way, and in 
my own strength. Having dishonored the means 
of grace which God has instituted for His chil- 
dren's comfort, He could not, consistently, bless 
me with that heavenly peace ; for He has prom- 
ised to honor them that honor Him, whilst those 
who despise Him shall be lightly esteemed !" 

" Don't you think that was rather a sudden 
resolve for my brother to come out the way in 
which he did ?" said Mrs. Simon. 

"Well, yes, it was, in one sense ; and yet it 
didn't surprise me very much, only I thought he 
would come forward when the invitation was 
given to any persons who might wish to unite 
with the church. When he let that opportunity 
pass I thought, of course, he had decided to wait 
awhile yet." 

"Why, did you know that he was thinking 
about joining the church?" asked Mrs. Simon. 

" I had an idea that he was." 

"Why, what made you think so ?" 

" O, I could see by his looks that there was 
something unusual going on in his mind. You 
know he is naturally full of his fun, and not in- 
clined to be serious. But for the last week or 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



77 



ten days he seemed altogether different," said 
Mr. Simon. 

' ' Well, I hope and pray that he may hold 
out faithful until the end," observed the wife. 

" You may rest assured of that," said Mr. 
Simon, "for it was plainly not of himself that he 
took the step, but it was none other than the 
Holy Spirit that led him. Besides there was no 
excitement about it, but on the contrary, there 
was the deep conviction of the spirit, and the cool 
judgment. I am convinced that he counted the 
cost before he began to build. No, wife, I don't 
think you need have any fears about him not 
proving steadfast ; rather let us see to it that we 
keep our lamps trimmed and brightly burning, so 
that when the Master comes we may be ready." 

u Well, that is so ; we all have enough to 
see to for ourselves, and when we have done all 
that we can, we are only unprofitable servants, 
having done that which was our duty to do." 

"This closed the short, yet pleasant, con- 
versation between these beginners in Zion's way. 
The remainder of the afternoon was spent in 
reading and meditation. 

And when the hour for family worship drew 



7S 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



on, it was with a livelier sense of God's goodness 
that this family engaged in their devotions. What 
had hitherto been done out of a bare sense of 
duty was now performed as a sacred privilege. 

And so should Christians ever regard their 
duties. JSTot as so many tasks to be performed, 
or burdens to be borne, but rather as so many 
privileges to be enjoyed and blessings to be re- 
ceived. For God takes pleasure in giving good 
things to them that obey Him. He will ever be 
their guide and protector. ' ' They that w^ait on 
the Lord shall renew r their strength ; they shall 
mount up with wings, as eagles ; they shall run, 
and not be weary, and they shall walk and not 
faint," 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



79 



CHAPTEE T. 



The value of a contented mind — Walking in duty's path 
the only way to obtain it — Mr. Simon had never 
"before fully possessed a clear conscience — His wife 
proposes having their children baptized — He is not 
much of a believer in infant baptism — The}' argue 
the case — Mrs. Simon is silenced, but not convinced — 
Her husband proposes asking the minister about it — 
Conclude to ask him next evening at prayer-meeting 
— The meeting — All gladly consent to listen to the 
arguments — Mr. Simon opens the subject by referring 
to their conversation at home — All are glad the ques- 
tion was proposed — Because it is not, in so many 
words, commanded in the Bible is no proof against 
the doctrine, rather in its favor — Important facts are 
frequently overlooked — Children were always 
included with their parents in all covenants — If chil- 
dren are fit for heaven, they are entitled to the exter- 
nal sign- — the duty of parents to consecrate their off- 
spring to God by baptism — It distinguishes them 
from unbelievers — They ought to be brought into the 
covenaut — Mr. Simon deeply impressed — He consents 
to have them baptized — Parents often neglect their 
duties toward their children — Mrs. Lane bereft of a 
child — She is no professor — Came for sympathy and 
comfort — She felt it to be her duty to unite with the 
church — Was waiting on her husband — Mr. Alexan- 
der shows her the folly of thus waiting — Mrs. Reno 
thinks one who does not profess religion is not 



80 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



expected to be as circumspect as a professor — That is 
not the point — Mr. Alexander urges Mrs. Lane to set 
a proper example before her husband ; to pray for his 
conversion — Fears she could not keep her vows — 
Christ will assist the truly penitent soul — May bring 
all our domestic annoyances to Christ — In the church 
we receive His grace— Dark clouds gathering. 

A contented mind is of great value, and the 
worth of a clear conscience is not to be compared 
to great riches. Let the mind be contented and 
the conscience clear, and it matters but little what 
the surroundings may be, and man is a happy 
creature. But without these, nothing is right. 
Though wealth should flow in upon the individ- 
ual, and his name prominently inscribed on 
the banner of fame, yet an unsatisfied mind and 
a clouded conscience will destroy the happiness 
which might otherwise be the portion of man- 
kind. And the only way yet discovered, and 
doubtless the way to possess this peace and hap- 
piness, is found only by walking in the path of 
duty — duty toward God as well as toward man. 
And it is a lamentable fact that many persons are 
not honest with themselves at this point. Know- 
ing how unpleasant it is to have a clouded con- 
science, many persons will not allow themselves 
to be subjected to the process of self-examination. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



81 



And by thus habitually neglecting this, they al- 
low themselves to be rocked to sleep in the cradle 
of carnal security, and the siren song of 4 6 peace, 
peace, when there is no peace, 5 ' does its danger- 
ous, if not fatal, work. 

Thus had it been with Mr. Simon. For fif- 
teen years he professed to enjoy peace of con- 
science, and yet all this time he practically ig- 
nored the very means which alone can bring pure 
and lasting peace — the discharge of his duties 
toward God ; and whenever in any way his mind 
was directed to this important matter, he would 
instantly seek to quiet the rising storm by dis- 
missing the whole affair, saying, u I am a Chris- 
tian, and why should I allow these unwelcome 
goadings to trouble me." Ah! self-deceived 
man, conscience dealt kindlier with him than he 
thought, for by its relentless striving it led him to 
obedience, and hence, also, to happiness and 
peace. 

One evening, a few weeks after their con- 
firmation, as they were quietly sitting in the room, 
Mrs. Simon said : 

" What do you think about having our chil- 
dren baptized ?" 



32 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

kt I hadn't thought anything about it. What 
put the notion into your head?" 

" O, I just thought it would be nice to have 
them in the church with us ; besides, you know, 
that nearly all have them baptized." 

"Well, to tell you the truth," said Mr. 
Simon, " I don't believe in it very strongly." 

"Why not?" 

" Because ; what good can it do ?" 

" O, I can't just tell what good it does, but 
somehow I feel as though we ought to have ours 
baptized," said Mrs. Simon. 

"Well, I'll just tell you how I look at it," 
said Mr. Simon. "I believe that religion is a 
personal matter, and, as such, it is impossible 
for one person to have it for another ; and, as 
our children are yet too young to understand 
anything about this matter, it would either do 
them no gocd at all, or else we must believe that 
one person may have religion for another. Isn't 
that so?" 

" I don't know about that," said his wife. 
"Ton know that I am not able to argue the 
ease., but, for all that, I do think it is a duty we 
owe to our children." 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



S3 



"How can it be a duty when, as you 
silently admit, it can do them no particular 
good % And, besides, I believe in letting them 
grow up and choose for themselves, for religion 
is certainly something voluntary, and not to be 
forced on anyone against his wish. 55 

"Yes ; that is ail very true. But do you 
think that all those persons do wrong who have 
their children baptized?" asked Mrs. Simon. 

" O, I wouldn't just say that it is wrong to 
do so — only, as I said before, it looks like 
depriving them of their freedom in making a 
choice for themselves." 

"Do you intend to let them grow up in 
ignorance by not sending them to school ?" 

"No. But what has that to do with 
this V asked Mr. Simon. 

"Why, only this," said his wife : " You 
think it best not to leave them choose for them- 
selves in the matter of education, but in matters 
of religion you act quite differently. Now, it 
seems to me that it is just as much our duty to 
have our children brought into the church by 
baptism as it is to send them to school." 

"Yes, but hold on; you are going too 



84 



THE WELL DEILLER ; OK, 



fast, my dear. You forget that, by sending 
them to school, they will be benefited ; but not 
so by baptizing them into the church. You see 
there's quite a difference between the two." 

Although this remark of her husband 
silenced her, yet she was by no means con- 
vinced ; and ever and anon the desire arose in 
her heart to have her offspring with her in the 
visible church. 

Seeing that his wife made no reply, Mr. 
Simon continued : 

" But, if you are not satisfied with my rea- 
soning, I'll ask the minister to explain the mat- 
ter. Perhaps I am wrong ; and, if I am, I 
ought to be set right in this matter. If I can be 
convinced that it is a duty we owe to our chil- 
dren, I shall not hesitate a single moment." 

4 ' I wish you would ask him the first oppor- 
tunity you have. Sure enough, to-morrow even- 
ing the prayer-meeting will be held at Mr. 
Swan's. That will be a good time to ask him, 
will it not ?" 

"I suppose i£ will," answered her hus- 
band. 

Whenever we are expecting anything which 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



85 



we think will delight us, the time seems to pass 
by very slowly. So the next day seemed unus- 
ually long to Mrs. Simon, for she was looking 
forward to that evening's interview with no ordi- 
nary interest. She well knew that the minister 
was a strong advocate of infant baptism, and 
hence she felt perfectly satisfied to leave the 
whole matter between him and her husband. 

Accordingly, the next evening, before it was 
fairly dark, our two friends wended their way to 
the residence of Mr. Swan. One after another 
came in, until the large room was filled. After 
spending an hour in praise and prayer, the con- 
versation naturally began about the interests of 
Christ's Kingdom. So, after indulging in a pro- 
miscuous conversation for a while, Mr. Simon 
said that, if the company had no objection, he 
would like to ask the minister a question or two, 
stating, also, that it was on a subject which 
might interest and profit them all. 

So far from there being any objection raised 
to the proposition, the whole company gave 
their hearty assent to the proposal. 

The minister said that he would be happy 
to answer any questions that might be asked, 



86 



THE WELL DRILLER ; 0R r 



and would consider it his duty to render satisfac- 
tion as far as he might be able to do so. 

The company having arranged themselves 
in a circle so as to hear to the best advant- 
age, Mr. Simon opened the conversation by 
saying : 

"Mrs. Simon and myself had quite an 
argument about the propriety of having our 
children baptized. She insists that it is a duty 
which we owe to them ; but, for my part, whilst 
I do not have a word to say against it, I cannot 
see it in the light of a duty. Now, I know that 
you believe in it strongly, and I simply ask the 
question in order to have my own mind cleared 
on the subject." 

" I'm glad you asked that question," said 
Mr. Reno, "for my own mind has been more or 
less agitated on this subject." 

Several others in the company gave signifi- 
cant nods, as much as to say that their minds 
were also unsettled on this point. 

" You wish to know," said Mr. Alexander, 
u whether it is the duty of Christian parents to 
have their children initiated into the church by 
the rite of holy baptism ?" 



I CAN LITE OUTSIDE. 



87 



" Yes, sir," said Mr. Simon. 

" It is a subject which very unnecessarily 
troubles many an honest-minded Christian,/ 3 
observed Mr. Alexander. "I say unnecessa- 
rily because, where the Scriptures have been 
investigated with entire freedom from prejudice 
— the sole object being to learn God's will, and 
not to support some particular denominational 
view — the proper solution of the question has 
been readily found. I am well aware that those 
who oppose the doctrine lay great stress on the 
fact that it is nowhere commanded in the Bible : 
but it requires no extraordinary intelligence to 
see that that fact, instead of disproving the prac- 
tice, rather establishes it. One great cause of 
disbelief is that men do not always take all the 
facts into consideration. For instance, there 
are many who fail to understand that the Chris- 
tian church is simply a continuation of the old 
Jewish church, with a change in its mode of 
administration. There circumcision was the ini- 
tiatory rite ; here baptism takes its place That 
church was founded on the faith of a Saviour to 
come, this upon the faith of a Saviour as having 
come. 



S8 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



' 6 Now, the people understood that baptism 
and the Lord's Supper were instituted in place of 
circumcision and the Passover ; hence there was 
no occasion for Christ to command His disciples 
to baptize children. It is true they were stupid, 
and slow to comprehend some of the doctrines 
which He taught them, but they were not quite 
stupid enough to overlook this fact. 

" No, the inference is all on the other side ; 
for do you not see that, had the blessed Saviour 
designed children to remain unbaptized, it would 
have been necessary for Him to make a specific 
statement to ' that effect % But where, in all 
God's Word, do you find such a statement? 
Nowhere. But I am happy to say that He does 
declare that the promises are to 'you and to 
your children. And did not the blessed Sav- 
iour Himself say, 4 Suffer little children to 
come unto me, and forbid them not, for of 
such is the Kingdom of Heaven V 

"Now, if the Kingdom of Heaven is 
largely composed of little children ; if they 
have a right and welcome to its sacred con- 
fines, wdio shall deny them the covenant sign 
and seal in his church in the w<orld V 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



89 



" If I thought it was a duty which I owe 
to my children," said Mr. Simon, "I would 
not hesitate a single day." 

"Is it not your duty," said Mr. Alexan- 
der, ; ' to provide that for your children which 
wiU protect them from danger of every kind % 
\% for instance, there was danger of your 
children breaking through the ice, and drown- 
ing, would it not be your solemn duty, as a 
parent, to prevent them from going on it?" 

4 ' Certainly it w ould , ' 5 answered Mr. 
Simon. 

"Very well," continued the minister, 
"Now, do you not see that the greater the 
danger, the greater the necessity of shunning 
that danger ? You have, I trust, been led by 
the Holy Spirit to realize that your only place 
of safety from the power of the Devil is in 
the church, as the 'body of Christ.' Now, if 
you need the seal of that church placed upon 
yourself in order to enjoy its fostering care 
m and protection, by what chain of reasoning do 
you conclude that your children may be safe 
without it ? 

"You remember the command to Noah 



90 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



was : ' Come, thou, and all thy house, into 
the ark.' Then, too, see in what condition 
your children are left as long as they are not 
with you in the church. The Jewish children 
received the sign of circumcision — first, to dis- 
tinguish them from the uncovenanted Gentiles ; 
and second, that they might rightfully inherit the 
peculiar blessings of His covenant people. All 
uncircumcised ones were regarded as Gentiles. 

"Now, since this rite has been superseded 
by holy baptism, do you not see that without 
this rite they are, and must be regarded as, 
unbelievers, for they are in the w t okld, and not 
in the church? Now, will you rest satisfied 
with this state of affairs ? — you entitled to the 
covenant blessings of God, and your children, by 
your neglect, deprived of them ? O, do not 
thus wrong those little ones whom God has 
entrusted to your care. Leave them not in the 
cold and sinful world in the dominions of Satan, 
but, as a loving father, bring them in with you. 
Be not afraid to offer them to the Master, for. 
you have a right to do so, for, as already stated, 
the promise is to 1 you and your children. 5 

" O, blessed thought ! We need not have 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



91 



our little ones in the kingdom of the Destroyer, 
but may, and are welcome to, bring them to 
Jesus. Then will the breach between you and 
your children again be closed — the breach, I 
say, for, when you came out from the world and 
became separate from it, you were separated 
from your children, for you did not bring them 
with you. 

"Now, separate them from the children of 
unbelievers, and you will be bound together 
by ties more lasting and sacred than the mere 
ties of nature, for Christ will be a member of 
the family circle. Then may you say, in the 
language of inspiration, ' Behold, I and the chil- 
dren which God hath given me.' " 

It was with evident emotion that Mrs. 
Simon listened to these remarks of the minister. 
Ever since their union with the church, this sub- 
ject occupied her mind. Her children lay near 
her heart, and, with a true mother's affection, 
she longed to do all for them that duty had 
enjoined upon her ; and the half-concealed tear 
in her eye gave testimony that she felt it to be 
her duty to present them to God in holy bap- 



92 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



tism ; so 5 after the minister had ended, she said 
to her husband : 

"I hope yon see your duty now, and, as 
you love the children, will have them bap- 
tized." 

"You know, my dear, I never refused to 
have it done on the ground of its being abso- 
lutely wrong, or unscriptural ; I only did so 
because I did not feel it resting upon me as a 
duty. 55 

u Well, what do you think about it now?' 5 
asked his wife. 

" I see the matter now as I never saw it 
before, and can heartily coincide with you. 55 

"It is sad to think, 55 said Mr. Alexander, 
"that so many parents wrong their children in 
this way. And yet it is a fact- that the children 
of Christian parents are often ruthlessly left to 
the mercies of the destroyer. And, alas ! for the 
offspring of unbelievers. Born into this world 
of sin and temptation without a natural protec- 
tor, is it any wonder that thousands of them 
grow up to infamy and disgrace ? How they 
need the example of their parents in their tender 
years, and how, by following their example, their 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



93 



hearts are drawn farther and farther away from 
God. How terrible will be the sorrow of such 
parents, should their children, on their death- 
beds, say : c Father ! Mother ! you never taught 
me to pray. You never took me to church that 
I might learn the way of life, and now I am dying 
unprepared to enter heaven. 5 And yet such 
cases are numerous. Parents virtually the de- 
stroyers of their children's souls." 

During these remarks the whole company 
listened with intense interest. More than one 
parent was painfully conscious that they had not 
discharged their duties to their children. Most 
of them, it is true, had consecrated their offspring 
to God by baptism ; but, alas ! how few of them 
had faithfully instructed them in matters per- 
taining to the Kingdom. Xo pains or expense 
had been spared to render their children com- 
fortable and intelligent ; but how little was done 
toward their spiritual comfort and education. 
Alas ! that this is so. It is, doubtless, one of 
the agencies employed by Satan to furnish re- 
cruits for his army. I doubt not but there are 
to-day thousands of young men and women 
walking in the broad road that leads to ruin 



94 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



who, had they received the proper training, 
would be bright and shining lights in the church 
of Jesus Christ 

Among the number composing that prayer- 
meeting was Mrs. Lane, who was not a professor of 
religion, but who, having recently buried a lovely 
child, came to this meeting hoping to receive 
sympathy from her neighbors, and also hoping 
to receive, at least, a crumb of comfort from the 
prayers of Christ's children. 

This lady was not, like many others, with- 
out any desires to become a Christ-am, for she 
frequently thought about her duty ; and espe- 
cially was this the case since the death of her 
child. But, like those who were invited to the 
feast, she was ready to offer an 6 ' excuse 5 ' 
which, she vainly imagined, would justify her in 
not accepting the invitations of the Gospel. 

The minister, noticing her sad and sorrow- 
ful look, and knowing that it was occasioned by 
her recent loss, endeavored to console her. 

" Your child, 55 said he^ u is in a much bet- 
ter place than it was while here. Its sufferings 
are ended, and it walks the golden streets of 
heaven with that great company who were early 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE, 



95 



gathered from the sorrows of this sinful world. 
It is sad to give them up, but let us remember 
that they have only gone the way of all flesh a 
little in advance of us, and that, if we walk in 
the footsteps of Jesus, we shall soon meet them 
again, to be parted no more forever. Love and 
serve the blessed Saviour, and ere long you 
shall see your little one again. Are you a dis- 
ciple of His?" 

u No, sir, I am not," answered Mrs. Lane, 
solemnly. 

" Why is it that you are not? Do you 
think it unnecessary to be a member of His 
church, as some do?" asked Mr. Alexander. 

" O, no, it is not that," replied Mrs. Lane; 
"but, as you said a little while ago, that parents 
so often neglected their children, I have dreaded 
to take upon myself the responsibility of train- 
ing them up in the right way. My husband 
seems so indifferent in matters of religion that I 
fear it would prove a heavier cross than I could 
bear were I to join the church, for then, of 
course, it would become my duty to train my 
children to become Christians, too, and that, 
with their father's influence against mine, would 
be more than I could do." 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



"Well, let us look at your case a little," 
said Mr. Alexander. " You say that you dread 
to 'take upon yourself the responsibility of train- 
ing your children in the right way.' Is not that 
what you said ?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Then, to avoid that responsibility, you 
have concluded to keep out of the church. Is 
that your idea, Mrs. Lane ?" 

Putting the question in this form rather 
nonplussed her, but, as an answer was demanded, 
she hesitatingly said : 

"I suppose that is about the way the mat- 
ter stands." 

"You are not the only person I have met 
with who viewed that matter in this light ; but 
let me say, right here, it is one, of the most mis- 
erable subterfuges behind which men ever crept. 
' I am not responsible to God for my conduct as 
long as I don't join the church,' is the voice of 
men's actions. If this were true, then it would 
certainly be the height of folly for anyone to join 
the church ; for, if I am not responsible to God 
for my actions before I confess His name, then 
certainly He can demand nothing at my hands ; 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



97 



and, consequently, the farther one can remain 
away from God the better. 

" But what intelligent mind would be will- 
ing to admit this ? No, my friends, it is a false 
conclusion. The most abandoned wretch that 
ever walked the earth is under pressing obliga- 
tions to do God's will. God is the author of 
man's being, and this places him under obliga- 
tions to honor his Maker. God sent His Son 
into the world to redeem mankind. This places 
him under lasting obligations to love his Saviour,, 
He sent the Holy Ghost to lead men into ail 
truth. This makes man responsible to God to 
follow the indications of the Spirit. 

6 i He established the church as a home for 
His redeemed children. This makes man 
responsible to God for not coming into it. ' All 
have sinned, and come short of the glory of 
God,' says the Apostle. And elsewhere he 
adds : 4 1 beseech you, therefore, brethren, by 
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies 
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, 
which is your reasonable service.' 'AH men 
everywhere are commanded to repent,' says the- 



98 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 

Word. Almost in every chapter love and obedi- 
ence to God are enjoined upon man as a duty. 

u All this teaches us that we are responsible 
for our actions as soon as we are fully self-con- 
scious. So, then, Mrs. Lane, you are morally 
bound to train up your children in the right 
way, whether you are a church-member 
or not." 

u But it is not expected that one who is not 
a professor should be as careful in this respect 
as one who is a church-member," said Mrs. 
Reno." 

"That is not the point. We are not to 
inquire, 'What does the world expect of us? 5 
but, 4 What does God demand of us? 5 " 
answered Mr. Alexander. 

4i I do not wish to be understood/' said 
Mrs. Lane, ' ' that it is not my duty to train my 
children to do right, for I try to do that as far as 
I can ; I only meant that the idea of doing this 
alone was what kept me out of the church. But 
then, after all, I don't see that that helps the 
matter any, if what you say is correct, and I 
believe.it is. I w r ould have joined the church 
long ago, but my husband doesn't seem to care 



1 CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



99 



anything about religion, and I don't want to 
start alone. " 

" Let me assure you, my friend, you would 
not be alone," said the minister. "Are not 
these sisters, here, walking in the narrow path \ 
They would be company for you ; besides, the 
Saviour Himself would lead you. Has He not 
said, £ Lo, I am with you alway V " 

" Yes, that is all quite true,* 5 replied Mrs. 
Lane ; " but then it would be much more pleas- 
ant if my husband would consent to join 
with me." 

u That it would be more pleasant for you, 
there cannot be the least doubt ; but let me ask 
you a question right here : Do you really desire 
to be a Christian yourself, and to see your hus- 
band become one, too ?" 

"I can assure you, Mr. Alexander, it 
would be a day of joy to me if he would pro- 
pose joining the church with me. 

u How long is it since you first experienced 
this wish?" asked the minister. 

" O, I cannot say just how long it is, but it 
must be as much as five or six years," answered 
Mrs. Lane. 



100 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



' ' And does he seem more inclined to obey 
your wishes now than he did at first?" 

"I cannot say that he does." 

a I presume you have often spoken to him 
on the subject?" said Mr. Alexander. 

u Quite often, sir." 

u What does he say?" 

" O, nothing much. In fact he seems to be 
very much disinchned to listen to anything I say 
to him on the subject," said Mrs. Lane. 

"Now, let me suggest to you what you 
should do. You say he seems just as far from 
gratifying your wish as he was years ago, and, 
judging the future by the past, you may easily 
prophesy what the result will be five years 
hence. Now, take my advice. Join the church. 
Have your children baptized ; then say to your 
husband : Will you not come with me, and help 
to train up our children to lives of usefulness 
and a home in heaven ? I need your counsel 
and your support. Your influence will destroy 
mine, if you do not go with me. Then, above 
all, commit him, with fervent prayer, into the 
hands of God, and confidently look for results. 
For when he sees your practice corresponding 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



101 



with your theory ; or, in other words, when he 
sees that you are in downright earnest about 
the matter, he will begin to reflect. But now 
your words have but little weight with him, for 
he is ready to tell you to do better yourself be- 
fore talking to him about his duty." 

As there was no reply to this, the minister 
continued : 

"Ton ought to remember that it is the 
Holy Spirit that is putting your duty before you. 
Now go forward in this matter without delay, 
for you, doubtless, see that it makes matters no 
better by waiting. And, besides all that, you 
know not how long the Spirit will strive with 
you, nor how soon you may die. Then, too, 
you sin against God by thus delaying when you 
are convinced that it is your duty to become a 
member of his church. Your going on in sin 
and neglect of duty, will bring no blessing to 
your husband, but will rather turn him further 
away from duty's path. Do you not think so !" 

4 ■ I suppose likely it will have that effect. 
But, then, do you really think I ought to join 
the church without my husband joining with 
me?" asked Mrs. Lane. 



102 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



" Most certainly, if you cannot persuade him 
to go with you," answered Mr. Alexander. 

■ 4 But I am almost certain that it would be 
impossible for me to keep my vows under such 
circumstances. For there is enough opposition 
to contend against in the world at large, and 
many are not able to overcome it. But to meet 
with hinder ances in one's own family would make 
the matter far worse, you know," said Mrs. Lane. 

"Here, again, you have not fully considered 
all the facts in the case," said Mr. Alexander. 
u You seem to go upon the supposition that you 
would have to depend entirely on your own 
strength ; but this is not the case. You are not 
to fight the battle alone. It is true, you will often 
need the ' shield of faith with which to quench 
the fiery darts of the wicked one.' You will 
have to wield the ' sword of the spirit,' and take 
to yourself the 4 whole armor of God. ' But you 
forget that the ' great Captain of our salvation 5 
overcame all these difficulties, and has left the 
cheering promise that we shall 4 come off more 
than conquerors through him that loved us.' 
Thus, you see, it is through the Lord's strength 
that we succeed in the great warfare against the 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



103 



world, the flesh and the devil. 4 My grace shall 
be sufficient for yon,' said the Master to Paul. 
' And he that hath begun a good work in you, 
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,' 
' No man is able to pluck them out of my Fath- 
er's hand,' says Christ, in speaking of His fol- 
lowers. Now, in view of all these- precious 
promises, do you not think your excuse is- 
worthless — nay, not only worthless, but is it not 
really reflecting on the honesty of God, for He 
says He will sustain us if we put our whole 
trust in Him ? And as our 6 day is, so shall our 
strength be.' But, according to your opinion 
and the opinions of many others, God would for- 
sake you, and let the world ' pluck you out of 
His hand.' " 

" Really, you make the case pretty strong," 
said Mrs. Lane. 

"Pardon me for my plainness," said the 
minister. " I do not make the case so, but God 
does. These are all His own promises, and Ho 
has pledged Himself with an oath to make them 
good. Be not afraid to take Him at His word. 
Go .forward in the path of duty, and rely firmly 
upon Him for assistance, and His grace will be 



104 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

sufficient for you as well as it was for Paul. 
God does not promise to let us see the end from 
the beginning ; and we must pass through the 
misty valley as well as over the mountain top. 
Shadows will be interspersed with the sunshine, 
but rest assured that, as David says, His Word 
is a lamp to your feet, and a light to your 
path." 

U I see the promises are all good enough, 
but then one does not always live with such sur- 
roundings as we have this evening. Were it not 
for domestic annoyances of every description, it 
would be easy to get along. But there's the 
trouble," said Mrs. Lane. 

u Do not almost all persons have trials and 
troubles of the same description ? But when 
the Lord asked us to cast our burdens and cares 
upon Him, He meant just such annoyances as 
well as anything else. Christianity does not 
only benefit the martyr at the stake, but its influ- 
ence is seen and felt in the workshop and field. 
Nor does it stop here, but it penetrates the 
kitchen and the laundry, and sheds its benign 
influence over the very heart of domestic life. 
There's an avenue from the wash-tub to the 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



105 



mercy-seat along which you may send your sup- 
plications for help," said Mr. Alexander. 

" Yes, that is all very true," said Mrs. 
Lane ; " but, in spite of all, I could not always 
and under all circumstances live up to my vows 
as I should. 55 

a That has been the experience of all the 
most pious and faithful Christians. There is in 
this world no such thing as 4 sinless 5 perfection ; 
but remember, 4 we have not an High Priest 
which cannot be touched with a feeling of our 
infirmities.' Ah, He sympathizes with us. 
Again, 4 If any man sin, we have an advocate 
with the Father.' 

44 But why lengthen these remarks, for, 
talk and think as we may, our responsibility 
toward God cannot be set aside ? If we are or 
are not members of His church, He demands of 
us that we shall honor, love, serve, and obey 
Him. The only real difference that there is 
between the two states, or conditions, is that in 
the church we receive encouragement and spirit- 
ual aid, whereas in the world we deprive our- 
selves of all these blessings. In the church we 
may obey God, and can serve Him, but in the 



106 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

world we cannot. In the church God has gath- 
ered His children together ; without are aliens 
and strangers. In the church we are schooled 
for heaven ; in the world we remain ignorant of 
the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven. In a 
word, out of Christ there is no salvation, and 
Christ is found in His church. There is more 
truth than poetry in the old saying : ' He that 
hath not the church for his mother hath not 
God for his Father ;' for does not the Eevelator 
intimate this where he speaks of the church as 
the 'bride, the Lamb's wife? 5 

u Yes, my friends, it becomes us to enter 
the Kingdom in God's way, and not according 
to our own notions. If Divine Wisdom estab- 
lished the church as the home of His children in 
this world, let us respect that wisdom, and follow 
its teachings. And if your husband, Mrs. Lane, 
will not join with you in following the Lord, it 
becomes you to do your duty at all events. If 
you continue to wait on him, you will j)robably 
both make shipwreck of your souls. Would it 
not be better to enter life yourself, even though 
it be by 'cutting off the right hand?' Let your 
actions be such that he can see how sincerely 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



107 



you desire his salvation, and you may one day 
have the satisfaction of seeing him accept the 
Saviour as his only refuge, and in eternity you 
may see a bright star in the crown of your 
rejoicing, set there by hands Divine as a reward 
for having led your husband into the Kingdom 
of God 

That these remarks were not in vain might 
have been judged from the serious look which 
overspread Mrs. Lane's countenance. She had 
for so*me time been reflecting on the subject of 
uniting with the church, but, as the reader has 
seen, was kept back by the indifference of her 
husband. But, could she have foreseen the 
events which were rapidly approaching, her con- 
victions would not have been silenced by wait- 
ing, but would rather have pressed her into the 
Kingdom with haste. 

But how little can we know of the future ! 
When men say, 4 ' Peace and safety, behold, sud- 
den destruction cometh." Ah, how unwise to 
tarry for naught ! How wise to have our houses 
in order, — to have our lamps trimmed and burn- 
ing brightly, for u in such an hour as ye think 
not the Son of Man cometh!" — cometh some- 



108 



THE WELL DRILLER. ; OR, 



times to take the reflecting but tarrying one, and 
sometimes to take some one in the family circle. 
In the former event, no time is left to prepare, 
and in the latter case the impressions often die 
out, or a kind of melancholy despair settles 
down over the individual, leaving him time, it is 
true, but depriving him of capacity to make the 
needful preparation. 

Be wise, dear reader. i 'Now is the 
accepted time ; now is the day of salvation. To- 
day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your 
hearts." 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



109 



CHAPTEE VI. 



Time flies — A bounteous harvest — Mr. Lane finishing 
with his grain — His strange actions — Incoherent 
talk — Rushes to the house — Gets his pistol — Walks 
about — Attempts to take his life — Fails — Tries again 
— Succeeds — Mrs. Lane's consternation — Reason well- 
nigh dethroned — Her convalescence — Blames herself 
for her husband's untimely end — Bewails her procras- 
tination — Mr. Alexander calls — She recounts her 
griefs — He points her to Christ for comfort — Thinks 
herself too wicked to obtain forgiveness — Is haunted 
by her husband's appearance — Mistreated him — Mr. 
Alexander accuses her of misusing God as badly as 
she did her husband — This deepens her grief — Says 
she is lost — Mr. Alexander glad to hear it — She 
becomes still more miserable — Tells her that the 
worst sinner may obtain pardon — Begins to be com- 
forted — Inquires after the way of life — Is directed to 
unite with the church — Fears she is not good enough 
yet — Wants to "get religion" first — She is shown the 
unscripturalness of her views — She wants to feel 
happy — Refers to some converts — Admits that their 
feelings did not prove genuine — The most boisterous 
persons generally the least reliable — Love to Christ, 
and not the fear of hell, to be the propelling cause of 
man's conversion — She is convinced of her error, but 
is too proud to admit it — Mr. Alexander leaves her to 
meditate on the subject. 

How fast time flies ! Spring succeeds the 
severities of the winter season, summer comes 



110 THE WELL DRILLER ; OB, 

with its growing crops, and autumn hastes with 
its "bounteous store to cheer and gladden the 
heart of the toiling husbandman. 

The summer had been a very favorable 
one, Frequent showers had kept the earth 
moistened, and the orb of day had sent his 
rays upon the earth to warm and vivify the 
seed which had been sown or planted. ; and at 
the appointed season the tall, waving grain 
and the dark green corn gave their testimony 
that, "while the earth remaineth, seed-time and 
harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, 
and day and night, shall not cease. The 
grain had all been cut, and the farmers were 
busy stacking it, or hauling it into barns. 

One Saturday afternoon Mr. Lane and his 
hired hand hauled their last .load of grain to 
the stacks, anc5> after pitching off part of the 
load, Mr. Lane said to his hand : 

u Hurry, let's unhitch and go to the house, 
for they're coming after me." 

"Who is coming?" asked the young man. 

"Why, they are coming. Hurry up, and 
let's be off."' 

Thus ordered by his employer, the young 




I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



Ill 



man slid off the stack and commenced unhitching 
the horses as fast as he could under the excite- 
ment, and as soon as he had completed his task, 
Mr. Lane mounted one of them and bade the 
young man mount the other, and without wait- 
ing for him to obey, started toward the house in 
full speed. The young man, of course, followed 
as fast as possible, all the while wondering, as 
well as he could through his fright, what it ail 
meant, and what the end would be. On arriv- 
ing at the house, Mr. Lane sprang from his 
horse, and rushed into the house as one in great 
fright. His wife, seeing this strange movement, 
hastily advanced toward him as he was stand- 
ing in the middle of the room, looking wildly 
around him, and said : 

u John, for mercy's sake, what's wrong;" 

Eudely pushing her aside, and creeping into 
the darkest corner of the room, he muttered: 

"They're coming after me!" 

" Who is coming? What do you mean ?" 
inquired his wife. 

" Hush, s'h ! don't let them find me,*' he 
muttered. 

Vainly did his wife endeavor to get a sensi- 



112 



THE WELL DIvILLEli ; OK, 



ble answer from him, but all he would say was : 
" They're coming alter me." 

Mrs. Lane was rather a nervous woman, but 
strange to say, she did not become so confused 
through excitement as to lose all her presence of 
mind. Perhaps this was owing to the fact, that 
for some time her husband had conducted him- 
self strangely at times. Hence she had been 
schooled by degrees to anticipate something of 
this kind. So she took up some sewing and sat 
down, partly facing her husband, and pretended 
not to notice him. Finally she laid her work 
aside, and went into the kitched to prepare sup- 
per. While thus engaged, the fit of insanity 
which had seized Mr. Lane partly subsided ; so 
much so, that he walked out in the yard and sat 
down under an evergreen. In $ few moments the 
young man came to the house, and not noticing 
Mr. Lane under the tree, passed into the kitchen, 
and said: 

" Where is John ? didn't he come in ?" 

u Yes. He is sitting in the corner of the 
room," answered Mrs. Lane. 

u No, he is not, for I looked." And then 
started out to hunt for him. Mrs. Lane also 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



US 



started out, and soon found him, and telling the 
young man to keep an eye on him while she fin- 
ished getting supper. This done, she went out 
and told Mr. Lane to come to supper. 

" I'm afraid," he answered. 

' ' O, just come in and eat some supper, and 
I think you'll feel better." 

So, by a little coaxing, he went in, and after 
eating a while seemed to feel better ; so, after 
he had finished eating, he told his hand they 
would go out and finish off the st ack. Silently they 
completed their work, and returned to the house 
just as the sun was shedding his parting rays 
over hill and dale. 

The night passed without anything alarm- 
ing, but with next morning's sun the old symp- 
toms made their appearance. 

u George," said Mr. Lane to his hand, "I 
believe they are coming after me." 

u O, I guess not. I won't let them," said 
George. 

"If they come, I'll give them this," hold- 
ing up a large navy revolver. 

u You'd better let me have it, John, I earn 
use it better than you." 

6 



114 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



u No, sir-ee. I'll keep it myself," said Mr. 
Lane. 

Thus the clay wore on. While the people 
in the neigborhood were going to and coming 
from church, Mr. Lane was walking back and 
forth in the road, every now and then stopping 
to examine his weapon. In the evening, Mr. 
Lane sat under the evergreen in his yard, still 
holding to his pistol. About nine o'clock he 
went to bed, but did not sleep. About midnight 
he arose, and, starting oiri into the other room, 
his wife followed him and tried to get his wea- 
pon away from him. In the struggle he attempted 
to fire, and did, but the ball glanced around the 
skull, making only a flesh wound. Awaked by 
the noise, the young man sprang out of bed and 
rushed into the room. 

"Run to Mr. Stiles', or Mr. Henry's, 
quick !" said Mr. Lane to his hired hand. 

The young man had not gone far, when Mr. 
Lane called: 

wi Come back; you needn't go now.' 1 

The young man turned back, but ere he en- 
tered the house, the report of the pistol caused 



1 CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



115 



him to look around, only to see Mr. Lane sink 
lifeless to the ground. 

" O, mercy! what shall I do? 5 ' cried Mrs. 
Lane, wringing her hands in despair. " O 
John ! speak to me. What have you done ?" 

But hers was the only sound that broke the 
stillness of the midnight hour. 

u O God! have mercy! Is he dead?'' 

As soon as the awful fact that he was really 
dead broke in on her mind, she gave one heart- 
rending wail, and fell senseless to the ground. 
The young man hastened to administer such re- 
storatives as he could think of in the confusion 
of the moment. The only reward of his efforts 
was a wild, wandering stare out of her widely- 
opened eyes, accompanied with an unearthly 
shriek. 

"John! Where! Dead! dead! dead!" 

For weeks she lingered in this half-uncon- 
scious state, and when her reason, which had 
well-nigh been dethroned, was at length restored, 
she upbraided herself in the most fearful man- 
ner as having been, indirectly at least, the cause 
of her husband's suicidal death. 

66 0, had I but done my duty toward him as 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



a Ohristain, perhaps he would not Lave done 
this. 0, fatal procrastination ! I waited for 
him to join with me in that which was good, in- 
stead of setting an example to follow. " 

Ah ! poor woman. Vainly do yon pour out 
your regrets. Happy will it be for you if you 
do not continue to wait for a more convenient 
season. Take warning and make your peace, 
calling and election sure. 

During these months of grief and trial, Mr. 
Alexander had frequently called on her. It was 
at one of these calls that she asked him : 

"Do you think I can ever be happy again 
in this world ? That fearful midnight scene is 
ever before me. I seem to hear the dying 
groans of my husband." 

Here she broke down ' with grief. After 
her feelings had somewhat subsided, Mr. Alex- 
ander answered : 

c 'You may be happy again on one condition. • 7 

"What is that condition?" she inquired, 
half divining the answer. 

"An immediate personal interest in Christ," 
lie replied. kW In this way." he continued, "you 
will find that all the sorrows of life are made 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



117 



lighter ; and by a continued perseverance in his 
service, you will eventually realize that — 

" Earth has no sorrow 
That Heaven cannot heal.* 1 

"Yes ; that is, no doubt, all true; but to 
think that my neglect has, in all probability, oc- 
casioned all this trouble. It is too much to be 
endured," replied Mrs. Lane. 

u These regrets are useless," said Mr. Alex- 
ander; "they will only make you miserable. 
Perhaps, if you had assumed a different posture 
toward God, this sorrow might not have fallen 
upon you ; but be that as it may, you are only 
making matters worse by fretting over things 
that cannot now be changed. Let these things 
serve as warnings to you not to neglect your du- 
ties hereafter. Strive to ' forget the things which 
are behind, and reach after that which is before, ' 
and, as the Apostle adds, £ psess toward the 
mark for the prize of your high calling of God in 
Christ Jesus.' By faithfully observing these 
recommendations, your human sorrows will be 
superseded by a divine joy, such as will build 
up and sustain the soul amid all its griefs." 

" Would that it might be so," replied Mrs. 
Lane; u but you don't know everything con- 



118 



THE WELL DRILLER J OR, 



nected with the case. I blame myself for all 
this trouble. Mr. Lane was a hard-working man, 
though he scarcely saw a well day. Through 
rain and storm he toiled from morning till night 
that he might pay off the mortgage that was 
resting on the house he had bought for his fam- 
ily. Poor man ; how coolly I treated him. In- 
stead of making home pleasant for him, I was 
inclined to find fault with him. O, how often he 
plead for sympathy, only to be taunted with being 
too poor to enable me to dress in the latest 
styles. And to wound him still more deeply, I 
professed to be ashamed of him in company, be- 
cause he was not smart and polite like other 
men. Ah! poor John was entitled to better 
treatment than he received, for there never lived 
a man that had a warmer heart than he had, or 
that tried to please his wife more than he did. 
But all to no purpose. It seemed as if Satan 
himself put me up to treat him so indifferently. 
Finding that all his love and regard for me was 
not appreciated, nor reciprocated, he, like many 
a ncble-hearted man, was driven to seek his 
pleasure elsewhere than at home with his fam- 
ily. And where so likely to go as to the reeking 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



119 



saloon, there, with others, vainly seeking to 
drown his sorrow. 

" Men, and women, too, talk a great deal 
about the paupers and homes that are made 
desolate by rum, and very justly, too, for it is a 
curse to the human race ; but are not many of 
our husbands literally driven to these dens of 
vice by their own wives, who, by their harshness, 
rob home of its comforts. So it was with 
Mr. Lane. Kind-hearted but mistreated, lie 
began to drink. At first only occasionally, but 
after a while more frequently. Whenever he 
came home under the influence of liquor, X mis- 
used him worse than ever. This would only 
make him drink more freely ; but with all that, 
he treated me better than I did him. Finally his 
mind, through trouble, ill health and liquor, be- 
came so much aifected as to give him an unde- 
fined dread of some great disgrace that he 
imagined was about to come upon him. This 
led him to commit the fatal deed. 

u Now you have the history in a few words 
— a history which I have never given to any 
one before, and would not have given to you had 
it not been that the remembrance of it is like a 



120 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



gaawiiag worm, gnawing at my very heartstrings. 
Yes, you may think it strange and unreasonable, 
Irat often, at the midnight hour, I seem to see 
his emaciated form staring at me with his wistful 
eyes as though he would say, 4 You murdered 
me, and sent me unbidden into eternity ! ' What 
"would I not give to have him here in reality ! 
©, how differently would I treat him ! But, 
alas ! alas ! never more will he appear to me, 
save in his ghostly form to haunt and reproach 
me for my indifference toward him. O God ! — 
if it be not blasphemy to call upon Thy holy 
name — must I be thus tormented forever ( Is 
there no place for repentance 

Here she covered her face with her hands, 
Tainly trying to suppress her choking sobs. 

Mr. Alexander, seeing that she was reproach- 
ing herself only for misusing her husband, and 
not for having sinned against God, thought best 
10 probe the wound a little deeper before attempt- 
ing to administer comfort ; so he said : 

"Are you not doing a still more terrible 
thing now against a much better and more loving 
me than your husband ever was Or ever could 
be % He died to get rid of trouble that was break- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



121 



ing his spirits. This very deservedly grieves 
you ; but there is one who so loved yon that he 
died a most shameful death for the express pur- 
pose of freeing you from the wrath of an offend- 
ed God. He desires that you should love him 
and give him your affections. But, alas ! how 
are you treating him ? Just as though he were 
not worthy of your love. He has promised to 
make you happy, if you will but give yourself to 
him ; but instead of doing this, you say by your 
actions that he has told you a falsehood. How 
terrible ; and yet it does not seem to give you 
any uneasiness. By mistreating your husband, 
you sinned against God, because you broke the 
sacred vow that you once made to love and re- 
spect him. Do you not see, Mrs. Lane, that you 
have wronged God as much, or even more, than 
your husband ?" 

" O, do not kill me by exhibiting my sins ! 
I thought it almost unendurable before ; but you 
have made it far worse than I thought it was." 

U I beg our pardon," replied Mr. Alexan- 
der; u you have made the matter just as it is, 
not me. Your sin has found you out. You have 
sent up a most fearful record against the day ot 



122 



THE WELL DRILLER J OR, 



judgment, and it behooves you to repent of all 
these sins without delay, lest the avenging wrath 
of God overtake you." 

" Yes, now you can advise after destroying 
all hope," said Mrs. Lane. 

iC Do you really think that there is no hope 
for you?" 

" How can there be, if what you say is true?" 

Then as if the full meaning of the expres- 
sion, "no hope," entered her mind, she exclaim_ 
eel, as if in the agony of despair : 

"Lost! lost! Iam lost, forever lost ! " 

"I am glad of that," said Mr. Alexander. 

"What ! Glad that I am lost ? O, horrors ! 
I had hoped that you, at least, would sympathize 
with me, and speak a word of comfort for this 
aching heart. For that reason I gave you my 
history, but you have made me more miserable 
than any one that has been here yet." 

" Woman, understand me. I am glad that 
you have been made to see your lost and well- 
nigh hopeless condition, for now you will be 
saved," said Mr. Alexander. 

"Do not mock me, I beseech you. How 
can such a vile wretch as T be saved ? 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



123 



This last sentence she spoke in the tone of 
one who would fain hope, in the midst of despair. 

u By faith in the Lord Jesns Christ," said 
Mr. Alexander. " The Apostle says : 6 There is, 
therefore, no condemnation to them who are in 
Christ Jesns. 5 And long ages before Christ came 
into the world, God spake to man through the 
mouth of the Prophet, saying : 6 Come now, and 
let us reason together 'though your sins be as 
scarlet, they shall be white as snow ; though 
they be red, like crimson, they shall be as wool.' 
And if a Mary Magdalene, who was possessed of 
seven devils, could be forgiven and saved, why 
may not yon be pardoned ?" 

" O, if I could only realize that all my sins 
were blotted out, it seems to me I could be 
happy again," said Mrs. Lane. 

u You may realize that, if yon wish to." 

" But my sins are so aggravating. Per- 
haps this was not the case with those who ob- 
tained forgiveness." " 

u I cannot conceive that any sin could be 
more aggravating than that of Mary Magdalene 
and Saul of Tarsus ; and yet these obtained for- 
giveness. But why not take Christ at His own 



124 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



offer ? He said, ' Come xmto me, all ye that 
labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you 
rest. 5 ISfow, you are heavily laden with sin and 
grief; hence the invitation is for you. Again, 
He says, ' He that cometh to me I will in no- 
wise cast out.' Hear, also, His blessed mes- 
sage: ' God so loved the world that He grave His 
only begotten son, that whosoever believeth ill 
Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' 
That 'whosoever' includes you." These pas- 
sages fell upon her ears like good news from a 
far country. For some time she sat absorbed 
in deep thought. At length she aroused from 
her half-inclined posture, and looking the min- 
ister in the face, said: 

6 'How am I to understand this matter of 
believing?" 

"Why, simply as you would were your 
father to send you word that he was coming to 
visit you." 

"Is that the way I am to believe God's 
promise of pardon?" 

u Yes, madam. Believe God's word with- 
out doubting its genuineness, and then be will- 
ing to obey Him, and you shall be saved/* 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



125 



"What is it to obey Him?" 

"Confess His name; become a member ot 
His Church ; perform all the duties implied in 
this, and be faithful until death, and thou shalt 
have a crown of life." 

"I do believe these promises now, with all 
my heart, and am willing to obey God ; but I 
think I had better not join His church yet, for I 
am not really fit to take such a sacred step." 

"What kind of a fitness are you waiting 
for ?" inquired Mr. Alexander. 

" O, I think I am not good enough yet to 
be a church member." 

" How good do you want to be before be- 
coming a member." 

"Why, I want to get religion first." 

" How much do you want before you are 
willing to unite with the church?" 

Why, really you surprise me to talk in this 
way," replied Mrs. Lane. 

"And you surprise me just as much by 
your talk," said Mr. Alexander. 

"Well, I don't know what I shall say : but 
I've always had an idea that we must have reli- 
gion before joining the church." 



126 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



6 4 And pray tell me when you expect to get 
it. To-day, to-morrow, or next day \ 

"I can't tell how soon it may be; but I 
mean to seek until I find it ; and then, when it 
is once in my possession I will join the church,'' 
said Mrs. Lane. 

"Do you think you have any religion 
now?" 

"I don't think I have." 

44 And yet you believe, and love God with 
all your heart, do you?" inquired Mr. Alexander. 

4 4 Well, I believe Him with all my heart, 
and love him as well as I can ; but alas, how faint 
that love is," replied Mrs. Lane. 

44 Do you think you will ever get religion ?" 

44 Certainly, if I seek for it." 

46 Do you think, then, that you will ever get 
done getting religion?" 

44 1 never thought of it in that light before," 
said Mrs. Lane ; 44 but I suppose so, for I've got 
that impression from some of the preaching that 
I have heard." 

44 That may all be, but is that impression 
based on the Bible doctrine of Christianity I 
Not by any means. But the idea is continually 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



127 



kept before us that we must advance. There 
must be a continual growth in grace, or, in other 
words, to use your own expression, there must 
be a continual getting of religion," said Mr. 
Alexander. 

To this there was no reply, so he continued : 

" It is just like a man desiring to be wealthy. 
Money is the great object of his search ; now 
when he has obtained one dollar, he has got 
money, but it is far from saying that he has got 
all the money there is in the world. Just so with 
the individual in a spiritual point of view. When 
he believes in Christ with all his heart, he has 
religion, but not all that is obtainable. He is 
then a mere babe in Christ and must, like a child, 
grow stronger day by day." 

" Then you think I ought to join the church 
without delay," said Mrs. Lane. 

"Most assuredly, if, as you say, it is your 
firm determination to persevere in this good 
way." 

"But I haven't got the experience that I 
ought to have." 

" I perceive you are getting back to the old 
stumbling block again. What kind of an expe- 
rience clo you want?" said Mr. Alexander. 



1.28 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



"Why, I want to feel as though a great 
burden had been lifted off me, and as though I 
heard Jesus say that my sins were forgiven. In 
short, I want to feel as though my soul were 
filled to overflowing with love, and as if I could 
leap and shout for joy." 

4 'And are you going to doubt your accept- 
ance with Christ until you have all this expe- 
rience?' 5 

"Why, it seems to me I ought to realize 
something of this kind before becoming a church 
member. You know, during the revival last 
winter, the mourners were exhorted to continue 
seeking until they should obtain the blessing of 
pardon, and well I remember how one after 
another found peace, and they all seemed so 
happy. I would like to feel as they did," said 
Mrs. Lane. 

u How many professed to have got religion 
at that revival last winter ?" 

"About twenty, I believe. No, eighteen." 

" How many still possess religion?" 

44 Six, I believe," answered Mrs. Lane, 

u One third of the number who felt so 
happy, maintained their integrity. And the two 
thirds — who doubtless felt just as happy — have 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 12$ 

turned to the beggarly elements of the world. 
What good, I ask, has their religion done 
them ?" 

It is hardly to be expected that ^ll would 
prove faithful, for yon know there was a Judas 
among the Disciples." 

u That is not the point," said Mr. Alexan- 
der. u You claim that it is necessary to have 
just such an experience as those eighteen persons 
had, and yet two-thirds of the number have given 
the lie to their own profession. Now, what is 
the inference that we must necessarily draw from 
this fact? Is it not that feelings are liable to 
deceive us, and hence are no legitimate criterion 
to go by. Now, I do not deny that many per- 
sons' feelings are genuine, but I do most posi- 
tively denounce them as an infallible criterion; 
Give me the man who, with an honest and sin- 
cere heart, can say, ' I believe that Jesns Christ 
died to save my soul,' and then act in accordance 
with that belief — even though his feelings do not 
overcome him — and we have a man whose Chris- 
tianity may be relied on. But, show me a man 
who, without this genuine faith in Christ, is bois- 
terous in his manifestations of joy, and I will 
show you a man whose profession is false." 



i 



130 THE WELL DRILLER J OR, 

u What ! do you mean to say that all these 
feelings are vain J" 

u Do not misunderstand me, Mrs. Lane. I 
clo not say that these feelings are wrong, or that 
they are always false, but I say that it will not 
do to rely on them in the absence of better testi- 
mony.** 

;t I don't know ; I always had an idea that 
these things belonged to religion, and that with- 
out them we could not be sure of our conyersion. 
And all the more so. since some of the churches 
demand it." 

^ I know yery well, Mrs. Lane, that there 
are some churches that insist on these feelings as 
an evidence of a man's Christianity. But it is a 
significant fact that it is in these yery churches 
that declensions are the most numerous. And 
there are two other well-known and universally 
admitted facts, which bear me out in my posi- 
tion. Haye you neyer watched the movements 
of these people ? And what did you see I Why, 
simply this : Those persons who make the 
loudest and most boisterous manifestations are, 
nine times out of ten, the fickle-minded and wav- 
ering ones. To-day they stand on £ Pisgah's top, 



1 CAX LIVE OUTSIDE. 



131 



viewing the promised land,' and to-morrow they 
are far down in the valley of doubts and indiffer- 
ence. They ran well for a season, but, alas ! 
they do not hold out. The other tact, which you 
have doubtless often noticed, is, that the men and 
women who stand firmly at their posts, .through 
storm as well as sunshine, persons in whose in- 
tegrity the church can depend at all times, are, 
nine times out of ten, the quiet, unaffected and 
humble hearers of the word. Have you never 
noticed this ?" 

" Yes, sir, often, and it has always been a 
mystery to me why it is so." 

The reader will perceive that Mrs. Lane had 
fallen in with, and was carried along by, the pop- 
ular theory of substituting feelings for principles, 
excitement for sound knowledge. 

"It is no mystery to me, 55 said Mr. Alexan 
der, u for the system carries the marks of de- 
struction on its very face. Instead of taking God*s 
way, and teaching men what they are to believe, 
men are frightened by horrible stories, and being 
thus excited, they become very boisterous, and 
their religion — if religion it can be called — is 
built on the fear of hell, and not on the love of 



132 



THE WELL DRILLER J OR, 



Christ. Hence, not being i built on the founda- 
tion of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ 
Himself being the chief corner-stone,' it is but 
natural that their profession should be short-lived 
and vain. Now, persons of intelligence and of 
principle do not permit themselves to be carried 
away with the sound instead of the substance, 
but demand something substantial. Does this 
help to clear up the difficulty in your mind ?" 

u I can't say that it does, altogether ; and 
yet I must confess that there is a great deal of 
force in what you have said, and I mean to con- 
sider the matter carefully, for my carelessness has 
brought me one great heart-trouble, and I don't 
want any more such, if they can be avoided," 
said Mrs. Lane. 

u Whether your carelessness has brought 
this trouble upon you, is not for me to say; but 
this I know, had you attended to the concerns of 
your soul long ago, your trials would have been 
more easily borne And instead of life being one 
continued scene of trouble and distress, you would 
find much to cheer and sustain you." 

To this Mrs. Lane looked her assent. Her 
mind had been considerably agitated ever since 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



133 



her late bereavement, and the plain and pointed 
remarks of Mr. Alexander had served to bring 
her to the point of making the mental conclu- 
sion to follow his advice, but she was too high- 
minded to acknowledge her convictions. 

Fearing that further conversation at this 
time would rather prevent the necessary reflec- 
tion, Mr. Alexander bade her adieu, and left her 
to meditate on what had been said, and hastened 
to the performance of other duties pertaining to 
his sacred office. 



184 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



CHAPTEJi VII. 



Mrs.. Simon calls on Mrs. Lane — Excuses herself for not 
calling sooner — Mrs. Lane begins to relate her trou- 
bles — Mrs. Simon tells her the uselessness of it — Then 
relates her histoiy since Mr. Alexander came to town 
— Tries to convince Mrs. Lane that it is her duty to 
unite with the church — She admits the force of the 
argument — Says that Mrs. Simon will soon be able to 
call her sister — It became true in two senses — A pause 
— Talk about other matters — Mrs. Simon goes home — 
Mr. Alexander calls at Mr. Gold's— The family— The 
young man skeptical — Symptoms of consumption- 
Mr. Alexander inquires how Brother Hull is pros- 
pering — Rather slowly — Mr. Gold does not like him 
well enough to join his church — Is told not to let 
trifles keep him from doing his duty — It will be his 
own eternal loss, not Mr. Hull's — Is warned of his sin 
in hating one of God's servants — He blames the min- 
ister for being too harsh — Desires to close the conver- 
sation—Mr. Alexander closes it with a pointed admo- 
nition—Bids the family gooc 1 -bye— Calls at Dr. Burns' 
— The Doctor very profane — His wife formerly a 
member of the church — Mr. Alexander cautiously 
approaches the Doctor on the subject of religion — 
Has been in church only four times in twent} T -two 
years — His reasons — Doesn't believe in the Gospel as 
preached — God is too merciful to cast man into hell — 
He is driven to the wall — Becomes angry — Uses unbe- 
coming language — Mr. Alexander leaves with a 
friendly admonition. 

Soon after Mr. Alexander had left Mrs. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



135 



Lane's, Mrs. Simon dropped in to make a short 
call. 

ki, Well, Mary, did you come at last," said 
Mrs. Lane, as she drew up the arm-chair for her 
guest. U I kept looking for you every day, and 
at last began to think you were not coming at 
all." 

u O, well, it isn't that I didn't want to come, 
but you know, Susan, my health is so poor that I 
don't often get out to call on any of my neigh- 
bors, as well as I would like to. But you must 
not think that I had forgotten you, for I often 
spoke about coming, but it seemed that my health 
and other things always prevented me ; so, at 
dinner, I told Kate that. I was going to come, 
and so I did. And how are you getting along, 
Susan V' 

"O, tolerably well. As well I guess, a> 
can be under my circumstances. For you have 
no idea, Mary, of the trouble I've had to go 
through. If Mr. Lane had only died a natural 
death, it would not have been so hard to endure:; 
but the recollection of that fearful night isstillfresh 
in my memory. In fact, Mary, I hate myself 
every time I think of how I treated him, ior there 



136 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



never lived a more kind-hearted man than John ; 
but I was too proud and haughty to appreciate it 
then, and to see it now, after it is too late, is 
what makes me so miserable. 5 ' 

"And it only makes you still more miserable 
to worry about it, for you can't change it now. 
If I was you, Susan, I would try to bury it away 
out of sight and mind." 

" Yes, but I cannot. And I believe it is 
sent on me as a judgment." 

" Well, I don't know about that," said Mrs. 
Simon. ' 6 But it does no good to talk about it. 
anyway ; and tc fret about it, only makes you 
feel worse than you would." 

" That is what Mr. Alexander told me ; but, 
somehow, I can't help it." 

"Has he been in to see you, lately?" in- 
quired Mrs. Simon. 

"Yes. He just left a few minutes before 
you came," replied Mrs. Lane. 

"The dear, good man that he is ; I shall 
never forget him. You've no idea, Mary, what 
a change there is in our family since he came into, 
town. Mr. Simon, you know, was always a very 
honest and good man, but he was not a Chris- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



137 



tian. True, lie went to church occasionally, and 
had daily prayer in the family, but all the time he 
was depending on these things to save him ; but 
one day, while he was drilling a well, Mr. Alex- 
ander had a conversation with him on church 
matters, and a few days afterwards he spent an 
evening at our house, because Mr. Simon wanted 
to have another conversation with him on the 
subject , and ever after that he looked at matters 
quite differently, and soon after we both joined 
the church. And soon after that prayer-meeting 
at Mr. Swan's we had our children baptized, and 
you don't know how much happier we have been 
ever since." 

" I judged from what you said that Mr. Si- 
mon was a Christian for a number of years before 
he joined the church. I don't see, then, how 
that could make any difference, " said Mrs. Lane. 

' fi If you had heard Mr. Alexander talk to 
him, you could easily see what difference it 
makes " 

u Why, what did he say ?" 

" O, I don't remember everything that was 
•said, but among other things, he told Mr. Simon 
that it was impossible for him to be a Christian 
under his circumstances. For, said he, here are 



138 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



the churches established for the purpose of gath- 
ering together all those who desired to obtain 
eternal life ; and God demands all His children 
to obey Him in coming out from the world, and 
being separate from sinners. And he told him, 
too, that so long as he stood outside of the 
church, he could not obey the dying request of 
the Saviour in taking the communion. And, fur- 
ther, that his influence was against the church. 
All this, and a great deal more that he said made 
Mr. Simon study the matter over carefully, and 
the more he thought about it the more he was 
convinced that the Minister was right, and so he 
concluded to join the church and be a through 
christian." 

"So Mr. Simon thought he was good 
enough without being a member, of the church, 
and I remain out of it because I am not good 
enough," said Mrs. Lane. "But he gave me a 
pretty plain talking to to-day, and if it had not 
been for making me out a simpleton, I would 
have acknowledged that I am wrong." 

"If it hadn't been for making you out a 
simpleton, you would have acknowledged your 
wrong, you say. What do you mean ?" 

k> Why, after I had given him my reasons for 



1 CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



139 



not joining the church, he would have thought me 
a simpleton for admitting my mistake so soon. It 
would have looked as if I had never studied the 
matter over, and was therefore speaking without 
reflection." 

' ' O dear ! what an idea ! Will you run 
the risk of losing your soul by letting such a 
little thing as that keep you from doing right ? I 
wouldn't for my life do such a foolish thing." 

Mrs. Simon was not a great talker, and had 
not the education to enable her to make a long 
argument, but she, womanlike, generally jumped 
to the self-evident conclusion. Her language 
often lacked what the would-be refined called 
elegance, but it seldom missed the point at which 
it was aimed. 

This last remark of Mrs. Simon's struck a 
tender chord in Mrs. Lane's mind, for as we have 
seen, she was inclined to have an exalted opinion 
of herself, so she said. 

u Then you think I am foolish, do you ?" 

% * I think you act so in this respect, for you 
certainly do not consider your best interests," 
replied Mrs. Simon. 

••Well, perhaps I am foolish ; but I have 



140 



THE WELL- DRILLER J OR, 



resolved to do nothing hereafter without care- 
fully weighing it in my mind, and the matter 
isn't quite clear to me yet, but is becoming more 
so every moment, and I doubt not, but that ere 
long you can have the pleasure of calling me 
sister." 

This remark implied more than she thought. 
Her idea was that she would ere long be a sister 
in the church. And so it proved in a short time, 
but, as the sequel shows, it became true also in 
another sense. 

"It would, indeed, give me great pleasure to 
have you with us in the church, and I know you 
will never regret having joined," said Mrs. 
Simon. 

Here there was quite a pause in the conver- 
sation, during which both sat absorbed in thought. 
At length Mrs. Lane began talking about the 
affairs of the day, in which she was joined by Mrs. 
Simon. "While thus engaged, the intended 
"short call" grew to more than an hour's length. 
So rising up, Mrs. Simon said : 

"Well, really I must go, or else Kate will 
think I have run off entirely. JSTow you must 
come over, Susan, and stay a whole day, and 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



141 



stop worrying yourself about things you can't 
help." 

u I will try to do so, Mary ; but you must 
come back again and stay longer." 

So the two parted, both pleased and en- 
couraged by the conversation. 

Let us now, kind reader, follow Mr. Alex- 
ander as he left Mrs. Lane's residence. After 
interchanging a few friendly words with several 
of his country members whom he met on the 
street, he passed on to the outskirts of the town, 
and called in at Mr. Gold's. These people were 
of a somewhat curious turn of mind. Like many 
others, they imagined that they had more trou- 
bles and misfortunes to contend with than any- 
one else. 

The old gentleman had been ailing for some 
time, and had gone to consult a physician in a 
neighboring town. Mrs. Gold was also in rather 
delicate health, and the only son at home exhib- 
ited alarming symptoms of going into a quick con- 
sumption. 

But, saddest of all, he was inclined to be 
skeptical ; yet, unlike most unbelievers, he had 
but little to say on the subject of Christianity. 



142 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

His parents both belonged to a neighboring 
church, but they were of that modest and easy- 
going stamp of professors, and they seldom 
spoke to the son about his sin in being so skep- 
tical. 

Their pastor, Bev. Hull, was a man of good 
talents and education, but, like all Germans, was 
rather cold and exacting in his demands on the 
people. This gave offence to some cf his own 
members, and, of course, the outsiders almost 
universally hated him. And this family he had 
insulted by reproving one of its members for his 
disorderly conduct one evening during service. 
Mr. Alexander, however, being ignorant of these 
facts, and supposing the young man to be a mem- 
ber of Mr. HuLTs church, asked him, after the 
conversation on secular topics had begun to lag : 

" How does Brother Hull get along with 
his work in your community ?" 

u Just tolerablv," answered Mr. Gold. 
u He knows enough, and is a good speaker, but, 
for all that, he doesn't seem to take with the 
young people, especially." 

4 • Why ? What seems to be the difficulty ? ' ' 

u O, he speaks so insulting to them: he 
even calls them names, and the like." 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



143 



" Do they attend his preaching pretty well, 
or have they such a dislike to the man as to keep 
them away ?" 

"X guess they don't attend very much. 
For my part, I haven't been to hear him preach 
for two months or more." 

" Are you not a member of his church f' 
asked Mr. Alexander. 

" No, sir, I am not." 

" Ah, indeed ! I supposed you were. Your 
parents are members, I believe?" 
" Yes, sir." 

" Well, don't you think it is about time that 
you were finding a spiritual home somewhere, 
Mr. Gold?" 

" Perhaps it is, but I don't like Mr. Hull 
well enough to join his church ; and, as father 
wouldn't be pleased to have me join any other, 
I guess it will be some time before I join, if I 
ever do." 

"I am really sorry to hear you say so," 
replied Mr. Alexander; " and I do not think it 
wise for you to let such a thing as that interfere 
with the performance of your duty. Mr. Hull 
is not the church — he is only its servant ; and 



144 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OF., 



yon would not be joined to him, but to the 
church. And if he preaches the pure Gospel 
you ought to accept it, and if you cannot love 
the man, you should at least respect the office." 

" But isn't it almost useless to go to hear a 
man whom you cannot respect properly, and who 
has really insulted you ?" 

" Admitting that the task is not a very 
pleasant one under such circumstances, yet do 
you not see in what an unenviable position it 
places you ? Whose loss will it be if you refuse 
to become a Christian, and thus lose your im- 
mortal soul? It makes very little difference to 
Mr. Hull whether you come to hear the Gospel 
or not ; and certainly it will not affect him in the 
least if, on the great Judgment Day, he sees you 
on the 'left hand,' and hears -the King say: 
1 Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting 
tire, prepared for the Devil and his angels.' 
No, you are not spiting Mr. Hull, but you are 
insulting Christ, and cheating your soul of the 
comforts of religion. 

u Allow me to be plain with yon. Mr. 
Hull is .one of God's servants, and as such 
comes to you with His message, not his own ; 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



but you, through dislike to the man, will not 
hear God's Word, and thus treat the message as 
though it were unworthy of your attention* 
Thus you insult God ; and, by mistreating His 
servant, you sin against Christ, for he says : < In- 
asmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 1 
And you know, when Saul was converted, and 
when he inquired concerning the voice, the an- 
swer was given : ' I am Jesus, whom thou per- 
secutest' And yet Saul had only been perse- 
cuting the Christians. Now, don't you see that, 
as long as you in this way disregard the servant, 
}^ou also necessarily disregard the Master \ and 
is this not a great sin for you to commit ?" 

u Yes ; but how am I to know whether Mr. 
Hull is one of God's servants?" inquired Mr. 
Gold. 

u Why, do you not believe him to be sin- 
cere and honest ? or, in other words, do you 

doubt his Christianitv ?" 

«/ 

" I don't know anything about Christianity 
myself, but, if it is what it is preached up to be, 
I should say he has no religion about him, or 
else he would not act the way he does." 

8 



14(3 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

* ; Here permit me to say you are again sin- 
ning against the Master by misjudging the ser- 
vant, 4 Judge not, that ye be not judged ; for 
with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged, * 
saith the Master." 

' 4 Does he insult anyone without cause or 
provocation ( Do the young men always con- 
duct themselves in a becoming manner?" in- 
quired Mr. Alexander. 

u O, of course, they are like all young peo- 
ple — they like to have their fun ; and may be 
they do sometime? get a little out of the way ; 
but that ought to be overlooked." 

" Do you think he ought to leave sin unre- 
buked I Nay, is it not his duty to tell of sin as 
well as of righteousness I Is he not rather do- 
ing them a kindness than an injury by thus 
reproving them ?" 

' ' Well, but I think he should not be so. 
rouo'h with them." 

o 

" Perhaps he does take an unwise course 
with them, but that is his weakness; and you 
must not expect an angel in human form. Min- 
isters are men of like passions as other men, 
and. if they err in their actions, need our sym- 



CAX LIVE OUTSIDE 



147 



patliy instead of denunciation. I presume those 
persons whom his rebiikQS have insulted are old 
enough to know better. This makes it not only 
more aggravating to him, but all the more dan- 
gerous to themselves ; for, if they know how to 
do better, and will not do it, they certainly need 
to have their bad conduct pointed out. But why 
dwell on these things \ If he errs. i what is 
that to thee i Follow thou me, 5 says the 
Saviour. 

This was crowding him up a little closer 
than he relished, and fearing to let his skepticism 
show itself, concluded the best way to get out of 
his guest's clutches was to put a stop to the con- 
versation, so he said in a half gesting tone : 

"I guess you and I can't hitch very well, 
and. besides, I don't care much about the whole 
thing ; so, as they make it, they have it. I don't 
think he will get a chance to insult me very soon, 
at any rate not in the church. v 

Mr. Alexander, seeing that he was becom- 
ing somewhat passionate, thought best to pursue 
the conversation no further, so he merely said : 

u Tou can. perhaps, afford to treat the sub- 
ject with contempt now. but rest assured, yon 



148 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



will become wonderfully interested in the matter 
some day, and happy will it be for you if it is 
not too late to repent of your indifference." 

So, after making a few common-place re- 
marks, lie bade the family good-bye and took 
his departure. On his way home, the thought 
struck him that he might call in at Dr. Burns', 
as it was just on his way, and yet he felt half 
inclined to pass on when he came to the house, 
for the Doctor was a very profane and skeptical 
man, and had often spoken quite insultingly to 
ministers. And not relishing an insult, it was 
with some reluctance that he decided to go in. 
But he made up his mind that he would approach 
the Doctor as mildly as he could, to be pointed, 
and as soon as he showed signs of anger, to drop 
the subject. Arriving at the door, he rang the 
bell, and was answered by the Doctor's lacly. 
After being shown into the parlor, and inquiring 
alter the welfare ol the family, Mrs. Burns beg- 
ged to be excused for a few moments to call in 
her husband. In a few minutes she reappeared, 
accompanied by the Doctor, whom she introduced 
to the .minister. 

"JRav. Alexander." 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



149 



"Dr. Burns, I am liappy to meet you.' 5 

After making some inquiries as to the gene- 
ral state of health and so on, Mr. Alexander said: 

" I was informed that Mrs. Burns was form- 
erly a member of our church, and not seeing 
her at the services, thought proper to make a 
call and become acquainted, and invite her to 
attend church. " 

u That is all right," said the Doctor, some- 
what gruffly. 

" I thought it my duty do so, and would be 
pleased to have you accompany her whenever 
you are not attending to the duties of your pro- 
fession," said Mr. Alexander. 

"I have been in this State now about twenty 
years, and in all that time I have been to church 
only four times," said the Doctor, somewhat 
boastingly. 

"Ah, indeed! — only once in hv r e years?. 
That is not very frequent, I assure you," replied 
Mr. Alexander. 

"Well, it's just as I tell you. One reason 
that I don't go oftener is, my calls are so fre- 
quent that I would get but little good from the 
sermon ; and, not wishing to disturb the rest of 



150 • THE WELL DRILLER ; OE, 

the congregation, I have remained away so long 
as to feel but little inclination to go any more. 
And, besides all that, I don't believe much in 
this church-going business. My family may go 
as much as they wish to, but, as for myself, I 
have but little faith in it." 

" Why, don't you believe the Gospel as it is 
preached ?" 

"No, sir, I don't," answered the Doctor, 
rather bluntly. w4 1 believe in the existence of 
a God, but not in such a one as you preachers 
talk about." 

" What kind, then, Doctor ?" 

"I believe in a merciful God — one that, 
loves His creatures, and that will not shut them 
up in hell and burn them forever. There would 
be no mercy in that, I am sure. , It would rather 
be the work of a cruel tyrant to do such a thing 
as that." 

" Let me ask you a question, Doctor. You 
believe that we have a very good and merciful 
Government, do you not?" 

" It hasn't been very good for the last eight 
or ten. years, I can tell you. There's been a lit- 
tle too much rascality going on in high places." 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 151 

4 Admitting what you say to be true in a 
great many instances, yet do we not, as Ameri- 
cans, boast of our magnanimous laws and our 
free institutions?" 

" O, yes ; taken as a whole, we may justly 
be proud of our country." 

" And yet," said Mr. Alexander, "have we 
not as many prisons in our own dear America as 
there are in other nations ? And do we not 
hang as many men as do other lands ?" 

"'I suppose likely we do," answered Mr, 
Burns. 

" Well, then, how are you going to recon- 
cile these two facts ? You have admitted that 
we have a most magnanimous Government, and 
yet we execute scores of persons." 

To this the Doctor made no reply; so Mr. 
Alexander continued : 

" Haven't you seen persons of such a char- 
acter that you would be ashamed to be caught in 
their society ?" 

" 1 have," replied Mr. Burns. 

"Well, now, how would you like to be com- 
pelled to associate with such persons for a whole 
year I Would you not think that it would be a 



152 THE WELL Dill LLER • OK, 

Mildness of our authorities to shut them up by 
themselves where they could neither harm nor 
disgrace you ? I think you would. Now, pre- 
cisely the same is true in regard to God. It 
is an act of great mercy on His part to gather 
nil wicked offenders and consign them to a 
place where they will be unable to molest those 
who are more righteous than they, and to gather 
the good into a place by themselves, 4 where the 
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are 
at rest/ You must remember that God is just 
as well as merciful. You cannot separate these 
two attributes in the God-head/ 4 

^ You needn't preach to me in that kind of 
a style. I'll believe just what I d — d please, and 
you may do the same !" said the Doctor, in an 
excited and rather angry tone, at the same time 
rising to his feet, as if to return to his office. 

So Mr. Alexander said, in a tone of sympa- 
thetic kindness : 

"I think you'll change your views before 
you die — at least, I hope you will ;" and, taking 
up his hat, he bade him good-day, and returned 
home just as the sun was sinking to rest. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



158 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Time rolls on — Mr. Alexander and family visit their East- 
ern home — Great changes— Preaching in the old pul- 
pit — His feelings on looking over the congregation- 
Communion — Strange and familiar faces — Calls on 
Father Benton and wife — Infirm— Talking about their 
heavenly home — Scarcely recognize Mr. Alexander- 
Are glad to see him — Talk about the Master's cause — 
Mr. Benton's views of those claiming to be Chris- 
tians who do not unite with the church — Recount the 
Lord's tender mercies — Commends them to God in 
prayer— Mr. Alexander bids them farewell — Changes 
going on in the Western home — Mr. Gold confined to 
his bed — Requests a minister to be brought — His 
father objects to Mr. Hull — The son reproves him for 
harboring such feelings — Dispatches a messenger for 
Mr. Hull and Mr. Mills— Mr. Hull arrives first— Con- 
verses with the sick man — Finds him penitent and 
anxious about his soul — Seeking for the truth — Is 
directed to the Saviour — Fears his inability to exer- 
cise faith — Is assured that all who truly come to 
Christ obtain forgiveness — His countenance bright- 
ens — Mr. Mills arrives— The Tempter attacks the sick 
man — He is commended to the mercy of God — Finds 
peace — Desires to be received into the church — The 
solemn scene — Mr. Gold exhorts his attendants to 
seek the Saviour without delay — The last morning — 
Comforts his weeping parents— The solemn parting — 
Breath failing — Face beaming — A whisper— At rest. 

Weeks and months sped on. The balmy 

days of the early autumn had given place to 



154 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

stern Winter's icy reign. This brought its pecu- 
liar enjoyments. The tinkling bells of the merry 
sleigh-riders made the days, and even part of the 
nights, resonant with their jingle. The happy 
boys had a good time coasting on the hillsides 
and skating on the snow-covered ice. 

But all human enjoyment as well as suffer- 
ing must have an end. So the winter, with its 
holiday treats, passed, and we again stand on 
the threshold of the vernal season. How rap- 
idly the seasons come and go, and how great are 
the changes they bring ! 

Ecclesiastical business called Mr, Alexander 
to the East. Accompanied by his wife and son, 
the old homesteads were visited once more. 
Here great changes marked the ravages of time. 
Youths had grown to man and womanhood ; 
those in the prime of life had become aged ; and 
the aged, what few were left, had become infirm 
and well-nigh helpless. 

But O ! how many faces were missing ! And 
as Mr. Alexander stood in the old pulpit where, 
years ago, he had proclaimed the everlasting 
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, his feelings 
almost overcame him. And as, on the following 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



155 



Sabbath, he assisted the pastor in the Commu- 
nion, how his heart swelled with joy as he saw 
many new faces at the altar. Many who had 
been reckless youths during his pastorate now 
were grown to be the staid and faithful members 
of the congregation. And there was Grand- 
mother C , one of the pioneers of the con- 
gregation, still left standing in the ranks to 
" show the Lord's death until He come.'' With 
trembling hand she received the sacred emblems 
from her former pastor, and the silent tear which 
coursed its way over her furrowed cheek plainly 
showed that a once crucified but now risen Sav- 
iour was still very precious to her soul. 

And there was Father W , like the 

true veteran of the Cross, still ^pressing toward 
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God 

in Christ Jesus.' ' But where w as Elder B 

and Deacon H I Ah! they had " fought a 

good fight, and had finished their course," and, 
with the sacramental host of God's redeemed 
Israel, they were " eating and drinking it anew 
with Christ in His Kingdom." Their names 
were dropped from the record of the Church Mil- 
itant, but in the Church Triumphant they were 



156 



THE "WELL EKILLEi; ; Oli 



indelibly inscribed in the "Lamb's Book of 
Life." Our loss was their eternal gain. 

A few days after the Communion, Mr. Alex- 
ander went to see old Father Benton, who, with 
his companion, was living with one of their 
daughters. This aged couple were too infirm to 
attend the services of the Lord's house any 
longer ; hence the minister of the Gospel who 
went there always received a most hearty wel- 
come. 

On this particular morning, Mr. Benton felt 
unusually weak and feeble ; so, after sitting 
awhile in deep thought, he said to his wife : 

" Sarah, I feel, this morning, as though my 
race was nearly run. I do not think it will be 
very long until the Master will call for me ; 
besides, I don't see what good such a feeble, old 
body like mine can do in this world. Were it 
not for you, I would be glad to hear the sum- 
mons any day.-' 

c 6 You need not wish the call deferred on my 
account, 5 5 said his wife, £ L for the Master will 
soon take me from this troublesome world ; and 
glad will I be when that time comes, for these 
eyes of mine are getting too dim to see the beau- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



157 



tiful things of the world, and these ears are too 
dull to enjoy the melodies of this world ; but I 
hope soon to be where the blind can see, and the 
deaf hear. O, Samuel, when I get to thinking 
of how it looks over yonder where the saints and 
angels are, it makes me impatient to be there ! 
There we shall see the King in His beauty, for 
these dim eyeballs shall be made vouno; a^ain. 
And when we get there, we'll not have to sit in 
idleness, -is Ave do here, but can be busy praising 
the Lord for His love toward us." 

*• Wouldn't it be nice if we could both &o 

o 

together?" said Mr. Benton. 

• * Yes, it would ; but, Sam uel, it will not be 
very long that either will have to wait, for have 
we not both passed the three-score and ten 
years ?" 

While thus engaged in conversation, Mr- 
Alexander stepped into the door, which was 
standing open. Wishing to see whether they 
would recognize him, he feigned to be a stranger. 
But, after giving one searching look at the would- 
be stranger, Father Benton, very much excited, 
said : 

i% If there isn't Mr. Alexander ! v at the 



158 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



same time extending his hand in a most cordial 
way. ". And did you think it worth while to 
call on tvro such old and good-for-nothing people 
as we are ?" 

"I thought it well worth while to call on 
two aged veterans of the Cross." said Mr. Alex- 
ander, "if, perchance, I might give them some 
little encouragement in their declining years ; and 
I did not know but what I might learn something 
from persons of your experience, in which event 
it would scarcely be true that j 7 ou were 4 good- 
for-nothing. ' But how are Father and Mother 
getting along?" 

"-Poor enough, — poor enough," answered 
Mr. Benton. "I am too feeble to go anywhere 
from home ; and, besides all that, I suffer a 
great deal of pain. This old .body is almost 
ready to fall to pieces. And Mother is, if any- 
thing, still worse off than myself; for, in addi- 
tion to all her other aches and' miseries, she has 
been nearly blind and deaf for several years past. 
So here we sit in our little room from day to clay, 
and all we can do is to talk about the past, and 
to prophesy of the future." 

"That is certainly doing something," said 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



Mr. Alexander, "if you can thus make the time 
pass more pleasantly, and can encourage each 
other." 

"That is very true," replied Mr. Benton, 
" but here we are, not able to attend church any 
more, and Ave would- like to be there so well. 
You don't believe how we miss it." 

"What do you think of those who could go 
if they only desired to, but yet do not ?" 

"Why, I just think that they don't care 
anything about Christ or Heaven ; if they did, their 
actions would be different," replied Mr. Benton. 

" But haven 1 1 you known just such persons 
to think themselves Christians?" 

" O, yes, that I have; but it don't make a 
particle of difference to me what they believe, 
Just so long as they disobey God, in refusing to 
join his church, it is the very best evidence that 
the love of Christ is wanting. For the Saviour 
said, ' If ye love me, ye will keep my com- 
mandments.' " 

Wishing to draw him out a little more on 
this point, Mr. Alexander said : 

"But what do you think would become of 
such persons, were they to die in that state ?" 



160 THE WELL DKILLElt ; OK, 

u Why, sir, I believe they would be lost 
without remedy," replied Mr. Benton, gro wing- 
quite animated in his remarks. 

M But suppose," said Mr. Alexander, "that 
such persons are models of uprightness ; and 
suppose them to commune at the Lord's table, 
and to pray in public and private ; and to be 
zealous workers in the Sunday School ; and to 
be among the leaders of all the social and moral 
reforms of the day, what then 

"In that case, sir, they are adding hypoc- 
risy to sinful disobedience. And the whole 
conduct of such persons is nothing more nor less 
than a mass of selfishness. They do it, having 
their ' own persons in admiration,' and not for 
the glory of God." 

"You judge them rather harshly, do you 
not?" said Mr. Alexander. 

" Are we not to know^ the tree by its fruit '?" 

k * Certainh^ ; but do not these persons bear 
good fruit, when they engage in all these moral 
things ?" 

"It may begocd according to our way of 
looking at things ; but these works are performed 
without either faith or love toward God, and 



J CAN LIVE OLTSJPE. 



161 



k whatsoever is not of faith, is sin,* says the 
Apostle. I believe such persons are just as bad 
in the sight of Goc! as the most bigoted infidel,, 
because they not only disobey Him, but say, by 
their actions, that He has told a falsehood, and 
imposed an unnecessary thing upon them, by 
requiring union witfa His church in the world." ■ 

4 * You are quite right in your conclusions; 53 
said Mr. Alexander. ki and it pains my heart to 
see so many acting in this ungodly way. How 
great will be their disappointment "when they 
come to leave this world, expecting to enter 
Heaven, but to hear the fearful words, 6 I never 
knew you ; depart, from me. ye workers of ini- 
quity.* Surely nothing less than a miracle of 
Divine Grace can save such persons." 

Tne conversation now turned to a- much 
more pleasing topic — namely, that of the Lord's 
goodness to them all during these years of sepa- 
ration ; how, amid dangers, seen and unseen, 
they had been preserved by His Almighty Hand : 
and, looking into the future, their hearts were 
filled with joy on account of the %t exceeding 
great and precious promises " which God had 
given them ; and whilst they erected an "Ebem 



162 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

ezer," they did it with the assurance that His 
grace would "ever be sufficient" for them until 
they reached the journey's end. 

As a fitting conclusion to this pleasant visit. 
Mr. Alexander read a portion of Scripture, when 
they all knelt down while he thanked God for 
His kind care over them, and asked for grace 
that in the future they might all be preserved 
from evil and temptation, and that God would, 
especially upon these aged pilgrims, pour out 
His spirit, so that their " light afflictions, which 
are but for a moment, might work out for them 
afar more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 
And most fervently did he beseech God to com- 
fort and support them during the remaining days 
of their pilgrimage through this vale of tears, 
and, finally, that they might all persevere unto 
the end, so that, though they should see each 
other no more in this world, they might meet in 
heaven. 

After bidding them an affectionate farewell, 
Mr. Alexander left them much pleased and en- 
couraged by his visit. 

We cannot follow him as he called on one 
after another of his former parishioners. But 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



163 



suffice it to say that wherever lie went he was 
received with the greatest kindness and respect. 

While thus engaged, another month rolled by, 
making two since leaving their Western home. 

Here, also, during their short absence, 
changes were going on. Some were u eating 
and drinking, buying and selling;" others were 
" marrying and giving in marriage," Some 
homes were filled with gayety ; others with sor- 
row and sadness. Among the latter was that of 
our friend, Mr. Gold. 

Those unwelcome symptoms had developed 
themselves with an alarming haste. Mr. Gold 
was now confined to his bed ; and the deep red 
spot on the sunken cheek, together with the 
hacking cough, told most plainly that his time of 
preparation for eternity had well-nigh closed. 

Being himself convinced that his end was 
near, he requested the presence of a minister. 

" Whom shall we send for?" said his father, 
the tears gathering into his eyes as he spoke. 

6 i For Mr. Hull, since he is your pastor. 

"Ah, but yon know he has abused us." 
replied his father. "Why not send tor Mr. 
Mills % It is but little further than to Hulls." 



104 THE WELL DEILLEE ; OK, 

%i Yes, — but, father, this is no time to let 
mch things trouble us. I am going to die very 
soon, and I want to be prepared to leave the 
world ; and Mr. Alexander plainly told me, that 
afternoon when he was here, that I could never 
enter heaven by being so easily offended, and let- 
ting such things prevent me from doing my duty. 
If I don't forgive him, God will not forgive me. 
Please, lather, have him come at once." 

These were unwelcome words for the father's 
ears. Dearly as he loved his son, it seemed like 
compromising his dignity to invite the man into 
Ids house who had insulted -the family. 

The dying man, noticing the hesitation of 
his father, said : 

''Father, will you not gratify this sincere 
desire of my heart I The sands of my life are 
fast running out, and I want to see this man 
before I die that I may crave his pardon for my 
cold behavior toward him. It is probably the 
last request I shall ever make of yon, and pray 
do not refuse.** 

* k Well, if you cannot be satisfied without it, 
I can send for him, but I fear my feelings will not 
allow Hie to treat him with the proper respect" 



I CAX LIVE OUTSIDE. 



161 



"And can you not forgive him, father \ Have 
we not all offended the Saviour tar worse than 
he has insulted lis, and yet He is willing to for- 
give us all our gins, if we but love him with all 
our heart, and our neighbor as ourself. Do, 
father, for my sake, forgive him that offence, 
for he did not give it without a reason." 

Here he was attacked with a severe cough- 
ing tit which lasted for some minutes, and when 
it ceased lie was so fatigued as to be unable to 
speak ; but, opening his eves, he gave his father 
one imploring look, and then fell into a kind of 
stupor. Frightened at these symptoms, and re- 
proved by his own conscience, he dispatched a 
messenger in haste for Mr. Hull, saying to him, 
as he started : 

u Go and see whether Mr. Mills will not 
come too." 

The messenger went with all haste and called 
upon these clerical brethren, who set out imme- 
diately for the residence of Mr. Gold. Mr. Hull, 
arriving first, was shown, rather coldly, into the 
room where the young man was. Stepping up 
to the bed, Mr. Gold opened his eyes and at- 
tempted to reach out his hand toward the mil)- 



1&6 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

ister, while a faint smile crept over his wasted 
features. 

u I'm so glad you came," whispered the sick 
man. "I've been wanting to see you for several 
days. I don't think I can last much longer, and 
I didn't want to die without seeing you." 

"Why do you wish to see me?" inquired 
Mr. Hull. 

"Why, first to ask you to forgive me for the 
way in which I have acted toward you, and also 
to ask you to pray for me. Can you forgive all 
and help me in the hour of need ?" 

"I did not know that there was any necessity 
for :me to forgive you, and as to the latter request, 
it is my duty to aid you in everyway that I can," 
said Mr. Hull. ' 1 Do you not feel prepared to die?" 

" No, I do not ; and it is that that troubles 
me so much. Until within a few days, I still 
hoped to get well again, but now I have given up 
that hope, and the sooner I get ready to leave 
the world the better." 

"Do you think that you would be lost were 
you to die now ?" 

O, yes. These sins and this unbelief of mine 
wholly unfit me for heaven." 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



1G7 



" How do you know that you are a sinner? 5 ' 
inquired Mr. Hull. 

" You know I used to be careless and indif- 
ferent about going to church or reading the Bible 
either. But a month or two ago Mr. Alexander 
called in and talked to me in such a way as I 
had never been talked to before, and ever since 
my conscience has troubled me. So to get rid 
of it, I commenced reading the Bible, thinking 
that, as this was something good, I would get rid 
of this trouble ; but instead of relieving me, it 
lias only increased the trouble. Now, what shall 
I do ? Tell me plainly, for I want to be saved 
from my sins." 

Here the young man was seized with an- 
other severe cough, which lasted for several 
minutes. This brought his father into the 
room ; but as soon as his son was somewhat 
revived, he stepped out again. 

u There is only one way, my friend, in 
which you can be saved. Your sins, as you say, 
are truly great, and deserving the swift wrath of 
God. Unless you repent of these sins before 
God, and are willing to cast yourself entirely on 
the merits of Christ, salvation is utterly impossi- 



168 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



ble. The Bible cannot save you ; I cannot ; and 
all your best works are as filthy rags in the eyes 
,of God ; and, as the Prophet says, 4 from the 
crown of the head to the soles of the feet there 
are wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores/ 
Such is your condition. Bat the Prophet, speak- 
ing God's own words, says: 4 Come, now, and 
let us reason together. Though your sins be as 
scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though 
they be red, like crimson, they shall be as wool.' 
Now, then, you are to reason with God, or, in 
other words, talk this matter over with Him in 
your heart, just as you would with anyone else. 
You are to tell Him how sinful you are, and also 
tthat you are willing to be saved on His own 
terms, and then listen to what God has to say; 
and you know Christ says : 'As.Moses lifted up 
■the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the 
: Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believ- 
eth ix Him should not perish, but have ever- 
lasting life.' You see how important it is to 
believe in Christ ; nay, ' without faith it is im- 
possible to please God 5 ' * 

" But I have been more of an Infidel than 
anything else," said Mr. Gold. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



" That is bad. But the question is not, 
What did you think about this matter all your 
lifetime % but, 4 Do you now believe d " 

" I desire to, but fear I cannot.-' 

u Do you doubt His power and willingness 
to save you ? or do you in the least question the 
honesty of His intentions in giving you these 
great promises V 

" O, no; I believe that Christ died to save 
souls. But how am I to know whether / can 
have any benefit from His death ?" 

" You profess to believe His words, do you 
not ?" 

" Yes, sir,'' replied Mr. Gold. 

""Well, then, He said: 4 Come unto me, 
all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I 
will give you rest.' Don't you think that c all ' 
includes you % And when the Eevelator says: 
' Whosoever will, let him take the water of life 
freely,' don't you think the 'whosoever' means 
you as well as anybody else ?" 

U I can't see but what it does," said Mr. 
Gold, his countenance brightening. " But the 
news seems too good to be true." 

u And is that not just what God intended ? 



170 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



Did not the angel of the Lord say to the terri- 
fied shepherds, 4 Fear not, for, behold, I bring 
you good tidings [or news] of great joy, which 
shall be to all people V " 

At this point in the conversation, Mr. 
Mills arrived, and was shown into the room. 

After cordially greeting Mr. Hull, he ap- 
proached the young man, and, seeing the bright 
look which was occasioned by Mr. Hull's re- 
marks, said : 

" If I am not mistaken, you feel more com- 
fortable than you did when the messenger was 
sent for me. 5 ' 

' 4 1 think I do feel some better, at least my 
mind seems more peaceful." 

Seeing that his cough was again becoming 
troublesome, Mr. Hull suggested that the young 
man speak, or exert himself, as little as possible, 
and to compel him, as it were, to do so, began tell- 
ing Mr. Mills about the conversation which had 
passed between them. While thus engaged, Mr. 
Gold was endeavoring to "reason with God." 
But still the tempter would create doubts in his 
mind, and thus make it difficult to keep his heart 
in a believing mood. After giving the sick man 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



171 



some further instructions and encouragement, 
botli ministers commended him fervently into 
the hands of God, praying that, since all hopes 
of his recovery were vain, he might be enabled 
to trust himself entirely into the Saviour's hands, 
and that He, the " Lamb of God, which taketh 
away the sin of the world," would, in tender 
mercy, receive this dying man into His kingdom. 

After this season of prayer, both ministers 
returned home, promising to call again. 

Next day Mr. Hull called to see how he 
was, and found him apparently better than he 
was the day before ; so he said to him : 

" Hav& you been 6 reasoning 5 with God ?" 

u I have been trying to, but haven't made 
much progress yet. My mind flies oft' on other 
subjects so often that sometimes I am almost 
tempted to give it up. But then, when I look 
at the future, and remember the promises, I feel 
like striving on again." 

" You must not expect," said Mr. Hull, 
"that you will have no difficulties to contend 
against, for out of much tribulation the Lord 
generally takes His children." 

f ' 1 do not expect to get along without meet- 



172 



THE AY ELL L1ULLEK ; 0K\ 



ing some difficulties ; but I would like to be able 
to believe in Christ more than I do vet. How 
can I do this T" 

M By asking God to give and increase your 
faith/ 5 said Mr. Hull. 

And then he directed his mind to many of 
the promises and historical narratives of per- 
sons who were tempted and tried as he was, but 
who, by perseverance and a firm reliance on God. 
had come off victorious in this conflict with 
Satan. Closing his interview with a prayer that 
God would enable him to exercise faith, Mr. 
Hull bade his spiritual patient good-afternoon. 

He saw him again every day its long as he 
lived, which was about a week from the first 
interview. At each meeting he expressed the 
full determination to persevere in following his 
convictions. About two days before his depart- 
ure, he said to Mr. Hull : 

kk I don't know why or how it is. but, as I 
lie here praying from time to time. I seem wholly 
resigned to God's will. Death does not seem to 
be such a terror now, when I am near it. as it 
used to when I was well and strong. I don't 
feel as many persons say they do when they em- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



173 



brace Christ,. — as if they wanted to shout and 
sing with all their might, — but somehow there 
is a feeling of love in my heart, as I never 
felt before, and I would not part with it for the 
whole world. 1 ' 

iC When did you first experience this feeling, 
Mr. Gold?" 

" 0, I can't just tell when I first felt so, 
because the feeling has been growing on me ; and 
I don't know whether I am any the worse off for 
not knowing when that feeling began. That 
doesn't trouble me in the least. It is all I want 
to 'know that my Redeemer liveth,' and that I 
am trusting my all into His hands ; and I doubt 
not my acceptance with Christ. 5 5 

The next day, Mr. Hull asked him : 

k * Are you still in possession of that feeling 
of which you spoke yesterday?" 

A happy smile passed over his countenance 
as he replied : 

"Yes, sir. My happiness to-day is much 
greater than it was when you were here before, 
and now there is only one thing more that I want 
for myself, and that is to be received into the 
church and commune w T ith my parents. I have 



174 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



been thinking of this for two days, aii#'rhe desire 
increases as well .as the peace in my soul. Would 
you receive me into your church ?" 

6 4 Certainly ; and I think it very important 
that you should obey your Saviour in his com- 
mands. Were it not for this desire, I should 
fear that all was not well with you. But having 
led you in God's own way to the cross of Christ, 
He now desires you to be His body and soul. 
For ; with the heart man believeth unto righte- 
ousness, and with the mouth confession is made 
unto salvation. 5 When do you desire me to at- 
tend to this matter V J 

" To-morrow morning, if it will suit you/' 

u VTery well. The Lord willing, I will be 
here at ten o'clock.'' 

At the appointed time, the sorrowful and yet 
joyful parents stood beside their son to see him 
confirmed in the faith in which he had been bap- 
tized in infancy, and, with him, for the first and 
last time on earth, to celebrate the love of a 
dying Saviour. This done, he seemed to be at 
perfect rest. The " peace which passeth all 
understanding " seemed to fill his soul with " joy 
unspeakable and full of glory.'* 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



175 



The remainder of that clay he said but little, 
but during the night he entreated his attendants 
to yield themselves to Christ. Do not, said he, 
"put it off to the end of your lives, when you 
will not be able to do anything for Christ ; but 
now, in full health, seek an interest in Him. 
Join the church and work for the Master, 
for I tell you nothing will bring greater 
gain. A few days of work, but an eternity of 
reward. I am going home very soon, and I 
want you all to meet me in Heaven." 

Early in the morning his parents went into 
the room, over which even now the Death Angel 
war spreading his wings, but the King of Terrors 
was not dreaded by the dying man. Passing 
"through the valley of the shadow of death/' 
like the Psalmist, he would ' ' fear no evil, for 
His rod and staff-' gave him " comfort.'' After 
talking to those in the room, and advising them 
to become Christians without delay, he took 
affectionate leave of his weeping parents. 

" Do not weep," said he, " for it will not be 
long until we will meet again in a land more 
glorious than this. And when the grave shuts 
this wasted form out of your sight, remember 



176 



THE WELL DRILLED ; 0E ; 



that the soul is happy in the presence ol 
God." 

His breath now began to grow shorter and 
shorter, and a heavenly radiance lit up his 
features; a faint whisper, " Jesus, Saviour," and 
lo ! the soul was gone. Another sinner re- 
deemed, another saint at rest. 



I CAN rJVE OUTSfDE. 



177 



Oil AFTE R IX. 

Mr. Alexander returns from the East — Father Benton and 
companion called home — Dr. Burns attacked by dis- 
ease — Has a foreboding — Consults the best physicians 
— Their verdict — He could not believe it — Consults 
others, with the same result — Becomes melancholy — 
Forbids ally minister .to visit him — His wife pleads — 
He is inexorable — Seeks to instruct him herself — He 
refers her to her own indifference and neglect — She is 
greatly embarrassed — Leaves the room in humiliation 
— Hears a crash — Hastens back — Finds the Doctor 
lying on the floor — Calls medical aid — He is delirious 
- - Is afraid to remain alone — The last conflict 
approaches — His terror — Imprecations — The awful 
scene — Falls silent in death — The funeral — How it 
affected the community — Reflections — Infidelity and 
Skepticism contrasted with Christianity — The believ- 
ers 1 eh allonge. 

About a week after the funeral of Mr. Gold, 
Mr. Alexander and his family returned from 
their visit. Joyful were the honrs which, they 
had spent among their friends, hut sad was the 
parting, as each remembered that this might pos- 
sibly be the last meeting on earth. And so it 
has already proved to be, at least in the case of 

Father Benton and his companion. Both entered 
10 



178 



THE WELL DRILLER J OR 



the Golden City in less than a year after that 
yisit. We are wont to say, "The aged must 
die," but too frequently forget that the middle- 
aged and the young may also be called into that 
"bourne from whence no traveler returns." 
How wise to be ready! — how unwise to neglect 
the great concerns of the soul ! 

As the weeks rolled on, Dr. Burns began tc 
complain of ill-health. From the very first he 
had a foreboding that it would terminate fatally. 
This led him to resort to several of the first-class 
physicians of Chicago, if haply they might 
control the disease ; but these men of Hippoc- 
rates shook their medical iieads, saying: "We 
fear that Dr. Burns will have to bequeath his 
practice to some one else." 

The Doctor at once took the full meaning of 
these words to heart, Could it, indeed, be pos- 
sible that he, a man in the prime of life, should 
soon be compelled to die ? It was a most unwel- 
come thought. He could not — he would not 
believe it ! No ; he must live at least twenty 
years yet At any rate, he would consult other 
men of the medical fraternity whose reputation 
was second to none in the United States ; but 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



179 



all to whom he sent a diagnosis of his ease 
sent the same unwelcome reply. 

"Your case is hopeless, Doctor. You are 
liable to demise any day.-' 

As one after another of these replies came 
to hand, a kind of melancholic turn stole over 
him. At last he settled down in a kind of hope- 
less despair. He would listen to no advice, but 
turned away timidly from all who came to con- 
sole him. He gave orders that no minister be 
allowed admittance into his room ; but his sor- 
row-stricken wife could not rest under such a 
state of affairs, and continually begged him to be 
more reasonable, saying that they would, at 
least, do him no harm, if they did him no 
good. 

"I want none of your canting hypocrites 
about me, with their sanctimonious faces." 

Still she plead with him to permit, at least, 
one of the Elders of the church to speak with 
him on the subject of religion; but ail in vain. 
It seemed as though he was fully determined to 
resist every impression that might be made. At 
length, seeing that ail her efforts were vain, and 
that her requests would not be granted, she — 



180 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

blind leader of the blind- — attempted to give him 
instructions. 

u You have been a great sinner all your 
life," said she ; but then, you have also done a 
great deal of good at the same time. You have, 
no doubt, saved many a life, and you never 
charged the poor but a trifle for attending them 
in their sickness, and since this is praiseworthy 
in a man of your profession, I hope God will 
overlook your faults. Only ask Him with groans 
and tears, and surety he will hear you. Tell 
Him that your life has been spent in healing the 
sick, and doing good to your fellow-men." 

Ah, poor woman ! had you but lived in 
communion with God, as you promised to do 
years ago, you would know better than to exhort 
your husband to depend on these things for an 
advocate with the Father. What do these deeds 
of kindness avail when the deportment toward 
God is so utterly sinful ? 

" And do yon think that I am going to turn 
coward now, and let myself be persuaded to 
pray, and all that ? Dr. Burns will not be the 
first to' cast reproach on the time-honored name. 
It' God Almighty wants to burn me forever, all 



I CAX LIVE OUTSIDE. 



181 



right; let Him do His worst. But I'm not go- 
ing to get scared, even if I do have to go."' 

" Yes, but, Doctor,' 5 said his wife, " there's 
danger that you will get into that place of tor- 
ment, and you should not talk so." 

"I tell you I'm ready for anything of the 
kind ; and if you are going to turn parson, why, 
you'll have to take my slang just as they do. 
Mind, I want no aping around me by anyone, — 
not even yourself included, If religion's so 
mighty good, why didn't you stick to it, and go 
to church, like a consistent person would?" 

This last remark cut her to the very heart, 
for she had once been a professor of religion, 
but the u cares of this world and the deceitful- 
ness of riches " had u choked" the rising plant, 
and for many years she had only occasionally 
gone to church. 

Still, if possible, to justify herself in the 
course she had been pursuing, she said : 

" I would have gone, Doctor, but you gave 
me no encouragement, and so I became careless 
and indifferent. But it is not because I think it 
is not my duty to do so, as you do." 

;i Then all the worse for you. Besides, 



182 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



what does all this ranting about Christ never 
leaving you mean, if my not going causes you to 
turnback? Come, now, be honest. Isn't it all 
a sham and a humbug, — this talk about religion, 
— since you, and hundreds of others who have 
tried it, drop it again." 

Poor woman! what should she do? where 
should she hide herself ? Every word was like a 
two-edged sword, piercing her very soul. Never, 
in all her life, were her faults unmasked as they 
were now. Turn which way she would, Con- 
science, that faithful monitor, reproved her for 
having neglected her Christian duties. 

Feeling terribly humbled, she left the room, 
and went to attend to her affairs in the sitting- 
room. As she sat there engaged with a piece of 
embroidery, her mind was in such a state of com- 
motion as to cause her to make quite a mistake. 
Discouraged and perplexed, she cast it on the 
lounge, and was just rising to go into the parlor 
to examine some original painting that had been 
purchased a few days before, when she heard a 
crash ar.d deep groan in the room occupied by 
her husband. Hastening thither, she found him 
lying prostrate on the floor, with his mouth wide 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



183 



open and eyes rolling wildly in their sockets., 
Rushing out into the street, she ran to Dr. Brad- 
ley's office, telling him to come quickly as her 
husband was dying. Snatching his hat from the 
table, and taking a medicine case in his han cl, he ran 
to the scene of distress. The Doctor was still 
lying and gazing wildly about. After placing 
him on the bed, Dr. Bradley administered some 
restoratives, and in about an hour they had the 
satisfaction of seeing him so far recovered as to 
be able to sit up ; but it seemed as though he 
was laboring under a great fright. 

"Where was I, Ermina?" addressing his wife. 
Then, seeing Dr. Bradley standing at the foot of 
the bed, lie exclaimed in a kind of delirious tone: 

"Have you been giving me poison? Will 
I die ? Why have you done this V 

Bidding him to be quiet, Mr. Bradley started 
back to his office, telling Mrs. Burns to withdraw 
into an adjoining room, so as to be convenient in 
case he required further attention. Presently 
he called out aloud : 

"Wife! wife! come here, quick! Some- 
thing keeps tormenting me so. Don't leave me 
alone, for pity's sake." 



184 THE WELL DRILLER J OR, 

At the sound of the first syllable, Mrs. 
Burns was at his side. 

u What do you want, dear V r 

U I want you to stay right herein the room 
with me, Ermina"" 

Thus, for the remainder of his life, he would 
not remain in the room alone, day nor night. 
He would apparently sleep quite soundly for a 
few minutes, then on a sudden he would start up 
as in a fright. 

And as his end drew near, his mind became 
more and more agitated. And it was shocking 
to hear the fearful implications that fell from his 
lips when anyone even just hinted at the subject 
of religion in the most indirect way. His 
strength seemed to increase, as his end ap- 
proached. Being naturally of a robust constitu- 
tion, and a man of great physical power, it re- 
quired the united strength of several men to keep 
him in his bed. And when he was grappling 
with the King of Terrors, it seemed as if every 
joint would become dislocated through his fruit- 
less efforts to get out of the hands of his atten- 
dants.' At length, like some wild and furious 
beast which is overcome by an enemy, he sent up 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



185 



shriek after shriek ; and with distended nostrils 
and quivering frame, he made one mighty effort to 
free himself from those who held him, and partly 
succeeding, he fell upon the floor, "And such a 
scene, 5 ' says one of the attendants, "may it 
never be my lot to witness again. There, on the 
floor, striking and kicking in every direction, lay 
the doomed man ; the perspiration starting from 
every pore ; the blood oozing from the palms of 
his clenched hands; and the froth exuding from 
the compressed lips, from which a peculiar hiss- 
ing sound proceeded ; then rising half erect, he 
fell backward with a groan, and the soul of Dr. 
Burns took its flight, there at the hands of a just 
God, to receive its reward. 5 ' 

In the large procession that attended .his 
funeral were many of his former patients. By 
his skill as a physician, he had endeared himself 
to scores of families, who now felt as though 
they would have no counselor in cases of sick- 
ness. It was quite natural, therefore, that they 
would feel their loss severely, notwithstanding 
his immoral conduct in many instances. And 
as the manner of his death had been circulated 
throughout the village and neighborhood, a pang 



18G 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



of sadness shot through, many a heart as the 
clods fell upon the coffin lid. Even some who, 
like the Doctor himself, wholly disregarded the 
claims of religion, felt a strange, uncertain tremor 
as they looked into his narrow house ; and the 
unbidden thought would linger in their minds : 
" Where is he now ?" 

Ah, clear reader, is your life a practical de- 
nial of Christianity, like the one before us ? Did 
you never look into the dim vista of the future, 
and picture yourself as standing on the verge of 
time, and about to step over into a boundless 
eternity ? And did the thought never enter your 
mind that, if you refuse to yield to the demands 
of the Saviour, the fearful distress on the death- 
bed will be but the prelude to a still greater 
agony in the world to come ? ' And yet such 
must inevitably be your lot, for a greater than 
your humble author hath declared that " except 
ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Only 
by faith, love, and obedience toward Christ, can 
the terrors of death be avoided, or eternal hap- 
piness obtained. 

Compare the last moments of Mr. Gold 
with those of Dr. Burns and hundreds of par- 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



187 



allel cases, and which strikes you as the most 
desirable ? Does not the language of Baalim 
suggest itself as an appropriate answer when he 
said : u Let me die the death of the righteous ; 
and let my last end be like his." 

Infidelity and skepticism may proudly flaunt 
their colors before a credulous world ; they may 
call men pusillanimous for believing in the doc- 
trines of Christianity ; they may repudiate the 
church, and trample everything that is holy and 
sacred under their unhallowed feet ; they may 
do this, we say, as long as health is coursing 
through every vein, — but let some virulent dis- 
ease grasp them with its fatal hand, and, alas ! 
their boasted theories fail to bring the needed 
comfort ; and whilst their vain hopes sink into 
the blackness of impenetrable darkness, leaving 
them convulsed with the agonies of despair, the 
Christian realizes that to the " upright there 
ariseth light in the darkness. 55 With a calm- 
ness and holy serenity, he contemplates his de- 
parture from the world, and, relying on Jesus, 
every vestige of fear vanishes; and, although 
called to grapple with the u King of Terrors, 55 
he knows that even in this dreadful conflict he 



188 THE WELL LKILLER ; OK, 

shall "come off more than conqueror through 
Him that loved us, and gave Himself for us ;" 
and, as he enters the "valley of the shadow of 
death/ 5 he can say: " I will fear no evil, for 
thou art with me ; thy rod and staff, they com- 
fort me and, finally, when he shall stand before 
the Judge of quick and dead, he will be able to 
utter that triumphant challenge: "Who shall 
lay anything to the charge of God's elect ? It is 
G-od that justifieth. Who is he that eondemn- 
eth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is 
risen again, * * * who, also, maketh interces- 
sion for us. " 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



189 



CHAPTEE X, 

Five years elapse — Scene in the National Hall m T 

In script i on s — Bo u q u e t s — JS I u s i c — Prayer — Ex ere i ses — 
College commencement — Mr. Marshall in the crowd. — 
Wins the laurels — He designs entering the ministry — 
Goes home — Hardship's endured — Kis father and Mr. 
Alexander await his arrival at the depot — Cordial 
greeting — Dinner at Mr. Simon's — Impatience to get 
home — Rushes into the house — Wanders through the 
garden and orchard — Apples — Family worship — Goes 
to town frequently — Meets Mrs. Lane at his sister's — 
Sees a great change in her — Almost falls in love — 
The accident — Is carried into Mrs. Lane's house — The 
doctor says nothing serious — Goes to his sister's in a 
few clays — The widow visits quite often — Gets well — 
Prepares to return to the Seminary — Mr. Alexander 
gives him good advice — Presents — Packing his trunk 
— Parting and departing, 

Five Years have passed since the events 
transpired which are recorded in the preceding 

chapter. The National Hall in the city of T 

is crowded with an expectant audience. Clergy- 
men, doctors, lawyers, merchants and artizans 
are among the number. The hall is beautifully 
decorated. Inscriptions of various kinds are 
visible between the wreaths of evergreens. Above 



190 



THE WELL DRILLER ; QR, 



the stage, in large gilt letters, are the words, 
u Genes tho Phos." In the hands of many in 
the audience are to be seen bouquets of choicest 
flowers, to which are attached small cards bear- 
ing the name of the holder, or the simple phrase 
— "from your friend." Seated on the stage are 
a number of men representing the different 
learned professions of the city. At a given sig- 
nal, a cornet band cause, those walls to reverbe- 
rate with the ever-glorious u Hail Columbia." 
The audience now arose, and one of the clergy- 
men offered a very simple and appropriate 
prayer ; and, from what now follows, the reader 
can readily guess that it is the annual commence- 
ment of H College. 

A number of young gentlemen and ladies 
are to graduate, and among the number is our 
friend Marshall. As one after another of the 
class finish their orations or essays, a perfect 
shower of bouquets are thrown upon the stage, 
which are carefully gathered up by a little boy 
and handed to the proper owners. The orations 
were delivered in such a way as to reflect great 
honor to themselves and credit to the institution. 
The essays read by the young ladies evinced 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



191 



clear judgment and calm forethought. In short, 
all acquitted themselves nobly, Mr, Marshall 
bearing off the " honors of the class.'' 

For four long years had they been engaged 
together in storing their minds with useful knowl- 
edge, and now, having so far mastered the arts 
and sciences as no longer to need the assistance 
of the professors, they were henceforth to rely 
upon their own information. And, glad as they 
were that the college course was now completed, 
yet each one felt a pang of sadness to think that 
their pleasant associations must be broken asun- 
der ; and hence, after the President had con- 
ferred the degrees upon them, they took for- 
mal leave of the faculty, and of each other. 
Henceforward their paths would run in different 
directions. Some designed to enter the medical 
profession, others to fit themselves for the bar, 
and still others for teaching in tiie higher schools 
and colleges, whilst several purposed entering 
the seminary to prepare themselves for the min- 
istry. Among the latter was Mr. Marshall. 

The next day he set out for his home, which 
he had not visited for four years. This may 
seem like a long time, but to the diligent student 



192 THE WELL J)liILLEH J OF., 

it passes by only too rapidly. His parents being 
poor, lie bad found it necessary to economize 
every penny ; hence he had to forego the pleas- 
ure of visiting home until his college course was 
finished. While the other students were enjoy- 
ing the comforts of home, lie had found it nec- 
essary to spend his vacations among strangers, 
at whatever kind of work lie conld get. Some- 
times he would get employment as a day labor- 
er, and toil in the harvest-field until he was 
almost overcome with the sultry heat ; and at 
other times he would, spend his vacations in 
going from house to house selling books, so that 
lie might secure the means to enable him to 
pursue his studies without interruption. 

O ye whom God hath blessed with much of 
this world's goods, remember the hard-w r orking 
student who is toiling on amid poverty and dis- 
couragements, that he may break to you the 
bread of life. Let your contributions be frequent 
and liberal to aid such as are indigent, for it is 
a fact that almost all our ministers w^ere reared 
in homes of toil and want : u For ye see your 
calling,- brethren, how that not many wise men 
after the flesh, not many mighty, not many no- 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



193 



ble, are called ; but God hath chosen the foolish 
things of the world to confound the wise ; and 
God hath chosen the weak things of the world 
to confound the things which are mighty ; and 
base things of the world, and things which are 
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things 
which are not, to bring to naught tilings that 
are." 

With all his labors, he was compelled to 
board himself a good part of the time, that his 
expenses might not be so great. He had to 
borrow many of the text-books, not being able 
to buy them ; and his clothes were not of the 
finest quality ; but, since he had become a Chris- 
tian, he did not think so much about fine clothes 
as he did before; and as to his tuition, that was 
gratuitously paid by Mr. Alexander, who held a 
perpetual scholarship in the institution. But in 
the midst of all his privations he maintained a 
cheerful disposition, knowing that God would 
help those who were trying to help themselves. 
By close economy he had the satisfaction of 
knowing that he owed no man anything on Com- 
mencement day, and, besides, had enough money 

in his pocket to pay for his passage home. 
11 



194 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



It was, therefore, with no little pleasure 
that lie stepped on board the train which 
w r as to convey him to the scenes of his boy- 
hood. 

At home were anxious hearts awaiting his 
arrival. Among the crowd of boys and young 
men who always congregate at the depot about 
train time was Mr. Alexander, with a peculiar 
smile upon his countenance. And why shouldn't 
he look pleased, for did he not know that on 
yonder approaching train was one of his spirit- 
ual sons ? And may we not pardon that feeling 
of pride which entered his heart as he remem- 
bered that that son had so nobly won the laurels 
over all his competitors in the class ? And the 
knowledge that all this was to prepare him for 
.the ministry caused him inwardly to thank God 
for Iiis goodness in thus directing the young 
man's mind to the sacred calling. 

Presently the iron horse, with its freight of 
human life, came thundering along, and ere it 
stopped Mr. Marshall was on the steps, with 
valise in hand, ready to spring off to greet any 
familiar face he might see in the crowd. 

Before he was fairly on the platform, Mr. 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



195 



Alexander was at the spot, and, grasping him 
with both hands, exclaimed : 

" God bless you, my young brother ! How 
well you are looking ! 55 and then presented him 
to his father and Mr. Simon, his brother-in-law, 
who each, in turn, gave him a most hearty wel- 
come. 

After greeting a few other friends, and ask- 
ing and answering a number of questions, he 
said : 

" Where's the wagon, father, to take my 
trunk ? And let us be off for home as soon as 
you are ready. ' 5 

1 6 O, you must not be in such a great hurry, ' ' 
said Mr. Simon. k *TIie team is over at my 
house, and you will go along and get some din- 
ner before starting home ; for don't you think 
Mary wants to see you as well as anyone in the 
family? 55 

Seeing that matters had been so arranged, 
he went with his brother-in-law, accompanied by 
his father and Mr. Alexander, who was press- 
ingly invited to go along. 

Mrs. Simon met her brother with tears of 
joy, and well-nigh monopolized all the con versa- 



196 



THE WELL DRILLED ; OR, 



tion, while the housemaid was preparing the din- 
ner. Having at length completed her task, the 
happy group w T ent into the kitchen to attend to 
the wants of the inner man. 

No pains had been spared to gratify the 
most fastidious taste. Upon the snow-white 
table-cloth sat delicious viands ; and the well- 
polished knives and forks were suggestive of a 
tasty and wholesome meal. 

After a blessing had been invoked upon the 
food by the minister, they all "fell to," and 
soon the depleted dishes told how w 7 ell the food 
had been relished. 

Dinner over, Mr. Marshall had no rest until 
the team was reined before the door to take him 
home ; and, bidding them all good-bye, he sprang 
into the wagon beside his father, and in. a few^ 
minutes they w^ere out of sight. 

"I cannot help contrasting this meeting 
with that memorable interview which, took place 
some six years ago," said Mr. Alexander, turn- 
ing to Mr. Simon. " What a great change there 
is in his appearance and conversation." 

u One would scarcely take him to be the 
same person," replied Mr. Simon, as a feeling of 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



197 



gladness stole into his heart. "And, as for 
myself, I think there has at least been a change 
in feeling, if not in appearance." 

" I presume there has been a change in your 
feelings ; and, indeed, it would be strange if 
there were not," said Mr. Alexander. " And I 
think your influence is being exerted for good. 
In this way you may preach Christ as well as 
the minister in the pulpit, since every Christian 
is to be a ' living epistle, known and read of all 
men. 5 " 

After some further conversation, Mr. Alex- 
ander took his departure, leaving them to talk 
over the appearance and future prospects of the 
young graduate. 

In the meantime Mr. Marshall arrived at 
ho me, and, without waiting to assist his lather, 
ran into the yard, where he met his brother and 
sisters, while his mother stood on the porch 
awaiting him. 

We shall not attempt a description of the 
meeting, for that is better imagined than de- 
scribed. Each one vied with the other in mak- 
ing him feel welcome. But he could not 
content himself in the house ; he must needs 



198 



THE WELL DRILLER ; 0E y 



go all around through the house* garden, and 
the out-buildings. How strange everything 
looked about the premises ! Several new 
buildings had been erected during his absence, 
and, of course, these had to be examined from 
" turret to foundation stone. " And how large 
those plum and cherry trees had grown 
since he last saw them ! And strolling 
through the orchard, where, in spots, the ground 
lay thickly strewn with apples, he ate and ate till 
he could eat no more. Then, filling his pockets 
and hat, he returned to the house. 

"Well, William," said his mother, "why 
don't you eat some of them apples V 

" Indeed, mother, I have eaten almost as 
many as there are in my hat. If I only had 
such an orchard to go to at college, there would 
be fewer apples left to rot on the ground than do 
here. Why, mother, it seemed as if I must 
gather them irp." 

Presently supper was ready, and after eat- 
ing a little while, he moved back from the 
table. - 

"Why, you are not done already, are your' 
said his father. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



"If you had seen the apples I devoured, 
you would not wonder at me being done so 
soon," said William, smiling. 

After supper they all gathered into the room 
and spent several hours in pleasant conversation,, 
and before retiring they knelt around the family 
altar and commended themselves into the care 
and keeping of their Heavenly Father. 

Every few days he went to town to bring 
out the mail, and to call on his sister. It was at 
one of these calls that he met Mrs. Lane for the 
first time since her husband's tragical death. 
Though a trifle older, yet she w T as looking really 
younger than when he last saw her ; and, his 
sister having told him, one day, about the great 
change that had taken place in her, he felt almost 
like falling in love with her ; and, do what he 
might, his affections seemed to be growing more 
intense ; and, judging from all appearances, his 
affections were reciprocated. Still each knew 
only their own feelings, and not what was in the 
i heart of the other. 

Swiftly did the time pass, and the two 
months' vacation was drawing to a close. Mak- 
ing the necessary preparations for his departure,- 



200 



THE WELL DRILLER ' OR, 



he had occasion to go to the village to make a 
few purchases ; and when almost opposite Mrs. 
Lane's residence, his horse took fright at an ap- 
proaching train of cars, and began rearing and 
plunging, and finally threw him violently to the 
ground, where he lay bleeding and insensible. 

Mrs. Lane, seeing the accident, was the 
first one that came to him ; but it was not long 
until quite a number of persons were gathered 
around. Asit was some distance to Mr. Simon's, 
the widow proposed his removal to her house. See- 
ing the propriety of getting him into a comforta- 
ble position as soon as possible, all gave their 
consent. Pie was accordingly taken there, while 
a messenger was sent for a physician. 

Anxious faces surrounded that couch, while 
the doctor made a careful examination of his 
patient. At length he said : 

" Nothing serious; no bones broken, nor 
internal injuries ; only a few flesh wounds and 
bruises. He will be well enough again in a few 
days." 

This intelligence was received with joy by 
all who, heard it, for fears were entertained that 
his injuries were serious, if not fatal. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



201 



Although the doctor was right in saying that 
there was nothing serious, yet the "few days " 
grew into almost two weeks. Nearly half of 
this time he was at Mrs. Lane's, who, in con- 
nection with his sister, gave him the best of care. 
After his removal to Mr. Simon's, the widow 
called almost every day, bringing some delicacy, 
which she knew so well how to prepare. Such 
was the interest she took in his welfare that the 
doctor said, one day, he half believed the widow 
was sorry to see him get well so fast, since he 
would the sooner leave the village. 

A few days before the vacation closed, he 
was able to go home. His mother begged him to 
remain a week or two longer, that he might fully 
recover from his injuries, but to this he could not 
consent, 

"I am quite well now, mother, and it is 
necessary for me to be there at the opening of 
the term, so as to get an even start with the 
class ; and I will take good care of myself. " 

His mother, seeing the reasonableness of 
her son's remark, said no more, but began anew 
with the preparations for his departure. 

Just the day before he left home, he went to 



202 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



the village again to see his sister, and to call on 
Mr. Alexander. The former made him a num- 
ber of useful presents, and the latter gave him 
some good and wholesome advice. 

"Keep the one great object continually be- 
fore you, 5 5 said he, 4 4 and do not allow any earthly 
consideration to drive you from your purpose. 
When you have completed your studies in the 
seminary, there will be time enough to make the 
necessary temporal arrangements for life. Don't 
get too many irons in the fire, and thus neglect 
some, but, w 7 ith a firm reliance on the Master, 
make your studies the sole object of your atten- 
tion. And, should you at any time stand in need 
of any assistance that I can give, do not be 
afraid to call on me. 

" After you have been in the seminary for a 
year or more, you will have opportunities to 
preach occasionally, and to address Sabbath- 
school children. When such opportunities offer, 
I would advise you to accept them, provided the 
preparation for them does not occupy too much 
of your time from your studies. By thus occa- 
sionally filling an appointment, you will gain a 
store of practical knowledge which will be of 



I CAX LIVE OUTSIDE. 



203 



great value to you. Thus you get the practical 
along with the theoretical part. And do not be 
discouraged with your first appearance before a 
public audience, for there is a feeling of back- 
wardness, or embarrassment, in everyone when 
making his first attempt at public speaking. This 
will gradually wear off, until you will be able to 
face a congregation without a blush. 

And wlrilst it is good exercise to write your 
sermons, yet try, if possible, to speak without 
having the manuscript before you at all. It may 
be somewhat difficult to do this at first, yet, by 
a continued perseverance, you will doubtless 
overcome that difficulty ; and I am sure you will 
ever after be thankful that you are not tied to 
your manuscript. I cannot now dwell on the 
reasons for not preaching your sermons from the 
paper, but they will suggest themselves to you 
by and by. 

' 4 And, as to the matter of your discourses, 
let them be of a churchly order, for you will find 
that there is a wide-spread latitudinarianism 
among the people claiming to be Christians, and 
yet at the same time they ignore the church. Spare 
not your crying against this abominable delusion. 



204 



THE WELL DEILLER j OK, 



But, above all, let your sermons be full of hu- 
mility and Christ. Ever hold Him up before 
your audiences as 4 the Lamb of God which tak- 
eth away the sin of the world. 5 5 ' 

Kindly thanking him for the kind advice, 
Mr. Marshall bade him farewell, and started to 
go out ; but, just as he was stepping out of the 
door, Mr. Alexander handed him a small pack- 
age, saying : 

' 6 Accept this from your pastor and sincere 
friend.'' 

Thanking him very kindly, he mounted his 
horse and returned home. On his arrival he took 
out the packages which his sister gave him, and, 
after examining every article carefully, he said: 

"Here is something that Mr. Alexander 
gave me and, opening it, he was much sur- 
prised and pleased to find a twenty-dollar bank 
note. 

" How kind of him !" he said, after a short 
silence. "This will pay my fare on the train, 
and leave me a nice little margin to go on, be- 
sides." 

After sitting and talking awhile with the 
family, he suggested that his trunk be packed 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



205 



that afternoon, so as to have the morning free 
from cares. 

Accordingly the trunk was filled with good 
and substantial clothing, with here and there one 
of those luscious apples " to fill out the corners," 
as little Lulu said. 

This done, the evening was spent in general 
conversation, — father and mother giving good 
advice, and brother and sisters telling how lonely 
they would feel when he was gone, and wishing 
that the two years and a half were past which 
he was to spend in the seminary. 

Next day he was accompanied to the depot 
by his father and brother,, bidding good-bye to all 
his friends as he passed their homes. At 
12 o'clock he stepped on board the cars, 
and was soon far away from the home of his 
boyhood, 



206 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



CHAPTER XI. 



The journey — Glorious sunset — The storm — All nature 
refreshed — Reaching the city — The bustle and confu- 
sion at the depot — Meets "Dr. Garnet — Baggage secured 
— Accompanies the Doctor — Prospects for the future 
— Tea — Retires— Rises refreshed — Sets his room in 
order — Commences his studies — His sermon in the 
Chapel — He accompanies the Doctor into the country 
— Lodge at Mr. Miller's— Is introduced — Perhaps 
would like to address the Sabbath-School to-morrow — 
Decides not to— Mr. Smith, a brother-in-law to Mr. 
Miller — A moral man, but no church-member — Dr. 
Garnet has a long conversation with him — He makes 
the usual excuses — The Doctor combats him with spir- 
itual missiles — It is wrong to repudiate what God has 
enjoined — Mr. Smith caught in his own trap — Could 
make no answer — The Doctor still assails him with 
arguments — Mr. Smith hurls his darts — Is caught 
again — The Doctor denounces non-professors as teach- 
ers in the Sabbath-School -This stmgs to the quick — 
The lateness of the hour — Family devotions — Mr- 
Smith reviews his past life — All retire. 

Swiftly the train sped on, — now over the 

rast, undulating prairies, now through dense 

groves of timber. Over huge embankments and 

tressle-works, and through deep cuts, the fiery 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



207 



steed pursued his way, leaving field and villag e 
in the rear. 

At length Night threw her sable mantle 
over the lap of Nature. Dense clouds had 
gathered around the setting sun ; and, as the 
darkness became impenetrable to the eye, faint 
flashes of lightning lit up the broad canopy of 
heaven. Swiftly as the train flew along its iron 
path, the gathering storm perceptibly lessened 
the distance between them, until at length the 
rolling thunder succeeded the vivid flash in less 
time than it takes to tell it. Louder and more 
frequent still did the reports from heaven's artil- 
lery come, until, joined by the wind, it broke 
upon the ear with one continuous roar. Soon 
the rain fell in torrents, but, nothing daunted, 
the iron horse held on his course. And when, 
at length, day began to dawn, what a gorgeous 
scene did it reveal! On every spear and twig 
hung a sparkling drop, outrivaling the purest 
diamond. The forest was resonant with the 
joyous notes of the feathered songsters ; and the 
sky, — what pen can depict its appearance ! The 
rays of the yet invisible sun illuminated the east- 
ern horizon with a halo of mellow light, as 



208 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



though it would feign give the spectator a 
glimpse of the pearly gates which guard the en- 
trance to the home of the redeemed ; and, as if 
the sight were too pure for sinful eyes, the daz- 
zling brightness of the sun caused them to turn 
away. If such is the outside of heaven, what 
must be the interior? Well might the Apostle 
refuse attempting to describe it in all its minute 
particulars ; and. how significant the words : 
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered the heart of man, the things which God 
hath prepared for them that love Him !' 7 

Toward evening the church spires in T 

came in sight, and finally the dome of the Alma 
Mater made its appearance. 

"What a rush and bustle there always is at 
the depots in the city ! The hurrying to and fro 
of passengers, the clashing of baggage, the not 
very polite expressions as the owner sees his 
u bran new trunk " bruised and shamefully scar- 
red, and the varied shrieks of a dozen cabmen, — 
all combine to make the scene lively about train 
time. 

In the midst of this confusion, our friend 
Marshall, who had traveled but little, stood 



CAN" LIVE OUTSIDE. 



209 



almost bewildered, scarcely knowing where to 
go, or what to do. At length the portly form of 
Dr. Garnet came in range of his visual organs. 
He had come to meet any of the young breth- 
ren who might arrive upon that train. Elbowing 
his way through the crowd, Mr. Marshall soon 
came alongside the venerable Doctor, who, grasp- 
ing him by the hand, said, with a smile : 

"Ha, ha ! Brother Marshall, your trip home 
did you good. Mother must have fed you well 
the way you have spread out ; but I guess you 
will be a little thinner by the time you get your 
head filled with theology. How did you enjoy 
yourself during vacation?" 

" 0. very well, thank you," replied Mr. 
Marshall, feeling as though he were once more 
in a safe place. 

"Are you the only one of the brethren who 
came with this train?" 

" I guess so, Doctor. At any rate, I didn't 
see any one else." 

" We had better hasten to see after your 
trunk before the 'busses all leave, or you may 
have some trouble and delay in getting it to the 
college." 

12 



210 



THE WELL DEILLER J OE, 



Having attended to it, and given the nec- 
essary directions for its delivery, he set out with 
the Doctor for the place of action. 

" You will take tea with us this evening, 5 ' 
said Mr. Garnet, u and also spend the night 
here, for you are considerably fatigued, and the 
Rector will attend to your baggage after it comes 
to the building. And to-morrow forenoon you 
can arrange your room, and get everything in 
readiness for the afternoon's exercises. So just 
dismiss all anxiety from your mind, and get 
thoroughly rested. .Do you propose taking 
the full course in the seminary, Brother 
Marshall?" 

' ' I would like to, if I can get the means to 
take me through ; but I don't know how that 
will be." 

" The Church will have to help you. It is 
true, we have more beneficiaries now than we 
can support without borrowing funds ; but, nev- 
ertheless, we must assist you in some way." 

This was spoken in such a kind and yet 
firm tone, that it lifted quite a burden off his 
shoulders. 

u Perhaps the congregation from which you 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE, 



211 



came can give you some financial encouragement. 
Do you not think so ?" 

6 ' I suppose likely they will, for our Pastor 
gave me twenty dollars out of his own pocket 
just the day before I left home, and surely the 
members ought to do something, too, toward my 
support. ' ' 

' ; No doubt they will contribute something, 
and yet there is not one out of a hundred of our 
congregations that gives according to its ability. 
But wherever you find such an one, you will 
always see a prosperous one. It is one of the 
most blighting of all actual hindrances in the 
Church. It is no wonder that God 5 s blessing is 
not more frequently poured out on His people. 
They pray, 4 Thy kingdom come, ' but are not 
willing to assist in preparing the way for its com- 
ing. Their prayers are, therefore, mere empty 
forms, and hence they do not enjoy the full 
measure of God's blessing in spiritual things. 
And I am convinced that even in dollars and 
cents, liberal giving to the Lord's cause pays 
large interest, for the Master says, ' Give and it 
shall be given to you again, good measure, press- 
ed down, shaken together, running over.' " 



212 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



Presently tea was announced, which had 
purposely been deferred to accommodate the 
hungry seminarians who would arrive that even- 
ing. Soon after eating, Mr. Marshall retired, 
and slept soundly until six o'clock. After break- 
fast he went over to the college building to set 
things to rights in his room ; and by the time 
the bell rang for the afternoon addresses, he was 
in readiness to begin the labors of the term. In 
the chapel he met many of his associates; and 
as, after the exercises, he greeted one after 
another of his comrades, a kind of home feeling 
came over him which wonderfully sustained him 
during the months of hard study. He applied 
himself diligently to his books, and, as a result, 
made rapid progress. True, he burned no "mid- 
night oil," as phrase is ; but by early rising man- 
aged to devote as much time to his studies as 
the other students, and certainly it was better for 
both his mental and physical health to do so, 
tii an to sit up long at night and arise late in the 
m on l ing. 

Thus engaged, month after month passed 
by, and he was ready to enter the " Middle class. 5 ' 
With his entrance into the " Senior class " came 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



213 



more difficult studies, but the years of mental 
discipline through which he had passed made 
them comparatively easy. In fact he was just in 
his element ; but when the Doctor announced 
divisions of the class, and it fell to his lot to de- 
liver a sermon in the recitation room on the fol- 
lowing Friday afternoon, he felt a strange flutter 
about his heart. The Doctor noticing his changed 
look, smilingly said : 

" You shall not be hurt in the least, and if 
your sermon does lack in the application, no loss 
will be occasioned, for it is presumed your entire 
audience will be already hopefully converted. 
You will, no doubt, be more or less embarrassed, 
but that is only what every one before you has 
experienced. Just imagine yourself to be sur- 
rounded with a class of heathens, and 
then go ahead, and you will come out all 
right." 

The eventful hour at last arrived, and the 
trembling man ascended the rostrum ; but as he 
proceeded with his discourse he became more 
composed, so as to finish without embarrassment. 
The criticisms which followed by the class were, 
of course, numerous ; but mainly on the manner 



214 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



and style of delivery. The Doctor himself offered 

a few suggestions ; but said : 

"That was well done — very well, indeed. 
You have but to persevere with patience and 
watchfulness, and you will not need to be 
ashamed of your efforts." 

And thus as the different members of the 
division performed the task assigned them, he 
gave such counsel and encouragement as he saw 
the young men needed, and which his own expe- 
rience so well enabled him to do. 

As was his custom, the Doctor frequently 
took one of the brethren along to his appoint- 
ment in the country to give them an opportunity 
to u break in." Accordingly, one pleasant Sat- 
urday afternoon he invited Mr. Marshall to ac- 
company him, as he designed to spend the night 
in the neighborhood of the church. The invita- 
tion was gladly accepted, and after an hour of 
brisk driving, the buggy halted at the house of 
a well-to-do farmer. 

"We will lodge here to-night," said Mr. 
Garnet, and proceeded to alight and fasten his 
horse to the post. 

While thus engaged, Mr. Miller, the owner 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



215 



of the house, came out of the wood-shed, his face 
covered with a good-natured smile. 

"How do you do, Mr. Garnet? who have 
you here.!" turning to Mr. Marshall. 

"This is one of our thelogical students," 
replied the Doctor. " I have brought him along 
to give him an opportunity to become acquainted 
with the people, and also assist me to-morrow." 

" Well, that is right. It will do him good, 
and we always like to hear the 'boys' preach 
their first sermon." 

" I guess, though, you will be disappointed 
this time," said Mr. Marshall. 

"Why, you are not scared aleady, are 
you?" said Mr. Miller. "But, come, let us go 
in the house, and John will put up the horse, 
and supper will be ready pretty soon." 

After talking awhile about the affairs in the 
neighborhood, Mr. Miller said : 

" We are going to reorganize our Sunday 
school to-morrow, and maybe the brother here 
will have a word of encouragement to give to 
the school? " 

"Yes, you might think about it, Brother 
Marshall," said Mr. Garnet. It is not likely that 



216 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OS., 



the entire time will be consumed with the busi- 
ness, and you might then make a short 
address before the hour for public worship 
arrives." 

" I will see about it," replied Mr. Marshall; 
but he had almost already decided not to embrace 
the opportunity. 

Presently John came in, who was introduced 
to Mr. Marshall as a Mr. Smith — a brother-in- 
law to Mr. Miller. Pie was a man in the prime 
of life, with good health, a genial countenance, 
and possessor of considerable wealth. His wife 
had died a few months after their marriage, so 
he was making his home with his sister. He 
was a hard-working man and a good manager, 
hence Mr. Miller rather liked to have him with 
them. He was a very liberal man, strictly moral 
in all his ways, and a prominent man in the Sun- 
day school cause. In short, he only lacked one 
thing ; but, alas ! like with many others, it was 
the u one thing needful." He was depending on 
his morality to take him to heaven. 

Talking about the Sunday school cause, the 
conversation touched on the propriety or impro- 
priety of non-professors giving instruction, and, 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



217 



finally, the necessity of being Church members 
in order to maintain a Christain life. 

" For my part," said Mr. Smith, " I don't 
see that it makes any great difference whether 
one is a professor or not — that of itself is a small 
matter. The great and important question to be 
decided, is, Am I a good, moral, upright person, 
— one who never engages in anything of a sinful 
character. If the conscience is clear on this 
point, I think it is a better recommendation than 
all the certificates of membership that man could 
cany. Isn't that so, Mr. Garnet ? Don't you 
preach up the necessity of moral living to all 
men ?" 

•'I do, most emphatically," replied Mr. 
Garnet ; and woe to that man who fails to de- 
mand it of his members as well as in himself. 
And, choosing the least of two evils, your posi- 
tion is good enough ; but please remember that 
it is not the question, Which is preferable to 
lead a moral life out of the Church, or an immo- 
ral one in the Church % You are not called upon 
to decide such a question ; but, Is it better to 
lead a moral life in the Church, or a moral life 
out of it ?" 



218 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



This way of stating the case was rather new 
to Mr, Smith, still, nothing daunted, he resolved 
to measure arms with the Doctor in a con- 
troversy. So he said : 

" Yon are right in what you say ; but isn't 
it an undeniable fact that many professors are 
more immoral than some who do not belong to 
a Church ? Now, of the two, which stands the 
best chance for heaven?" 

However unconscious to himself it may 
have been, yet he had done neither more nor 
less than what logicians call " begging the 
question. 55 

4 ' 1 must refer you to my answer given a mo- 
ment ago. You are not to imagine that a mere 
morality will be sufficient to purchase your title to 
the heavenly inheritance. If this were true, 
then many of our secret societies would stand 
on a level with the Church, for they enjoin mor- 
ality upon their votaries. But you do not sup- 
pose that the most rigid adherence to their laws 
or requirements will ever save a single soul, do 
you ? Think not that only the desperately 
wicked shall be ' turned into hell, 5 for the Sav- 
iour very pointedly told some of His followers 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



219 



that those 4 Gallileans whose blood Pilate had 
mingled with their sacrifices, ' and ' those eigh- 
teen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell 5 were 
not ' sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusa- 
lem ; but except ye (who consider yourselves 
much better than they) repent, ye shall all 
likewise perish. 5 Again, He says, ' Repent, and 
be converted that your sins may be blotted out. 5 
Now, sir, will you please tell me wherein a man 
repents who depends on his morality to save him? 
Nay, I ask, is not this very thing to be repented 
of? Now, then, an immoral professor has cer- 
tainly not repented of his sins, or else he would 
lead a moral life, therefore he cannot be saved 
as long as he continues in that state ; a moral 
non-professor has also failed to repent, hence he 
stands on precisely the same footing, and conse- 
quently their destiny will be the same. 5 *' 

6 ; Then repentance is the great virtue that 
saves the soul, is it? 55 said Mr. Smith, rather 
sarcastically. 

"Do not misunderstand me, please. Re- 
pentance, as a virtue, or merit, is utterly power- 
less to save, for ' there is none other name (but 
Jesus 1 ) under heaven, given among men, whereby 



220 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



we must be saved. 5 The righteousness of Christ 
is the only merit upon, or by which we can be 
saved ; but degenerate man is too blind to see it, 
and too far away to reach it, hence, the only way 
by which it is to be obtained is through repentance 
and faith. Without this, entrance into heaven 
will be impossible, notwithstanding all the mor- 
ality one may have.'' 

u Why, according to your theory, no infant 
can be saved, because they cannot repent nor 
exercise faith. How do you reconcile this with 
the doctrine of Infant Salvation?" said Mr. 
Smith, with an air of triumph. 

" These facts are very easily made to har- 
monize, 5 ? replied Mr. Garnet, "when we bear in 
mind that repentance is demanded only for actual 
sins. Now, children dying before they commit 
such sin, have no need of repentance, but v 

" But hold!" interrupted Mr. Smith, " are 
they not conceived and born in sin .? How, then, 
have they no need of repentance !" 

u Do you believe they are saved?" asked 
Mr. Garnet, turning questioner. 

" Certainly." 

" And do they repent?" 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



221 



" I suppose that — they — that is — of course — 
they " 

u They," said Mr. Garnet, coming to his 
assistance, u are already fit subjects for the 
regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit which 
erases, or cancels, the original depravity, for it 
is impossible for a man to repent of anything 
which he has not done ; and infants having com- 
mitted no sin, in their own persons, have nothing 
to repent of, but occupy the same position as the 
converted adult does, for the Saviour says, 
6 Except ye be converted and become as little 
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom 
of heaven. 5 55 

u But, Mr. Smith, we are getting off our 
subject entirely. We were not intending 
to investigate the doctrine of Infant Sal- 
vation ; but whether a man could be saved by 
being a mere moral person. ISTow, without in 
the least attempting to limit God's free mercy, 
I do most solemnly aver that, under ordinary 
circumstances, no one can be sure of eternpl 
happiness who does not stand in connection with 
the visible Church. Men may talk as they please 
about the ' empty forms, 5 as they call them; but 



222 



THE WELL DRILLER j OR, 



let me remind you that it becomes a serious 
thing for depraved humanity to repudiate what 
G-od has enjoined. Would it not have been the 
hight of folly — I speak it with reverence — for 
Christ to undergo all that he did for absolutely 
nothing? 

"And when he established His kingdom in 
the world, is it not reasonable to suppose that 
He designed it for the residence of His children? 
If, now, they were just as safe out of it as in it, 
why establish it at all ? What would you think 
of a father who, at great expense, would build 
a house to protect his family from the storms, 
and then tell them they were just as safe out in 
the field as they would be in the house ? Why, 
you would at once say that he had not acted 
consistently. Apply this illustration to what 
Christ has done, and see how it looks." 

u I am not an enemy to the Church, by any 
means ; on the contrary, I help to support it ; 
but what I claim is, that it is not so essentially 
necessary to be a member of it as to endanger 
our personal safety by remaining outside. It 
seems to me the principal thing is to live right 
before God, and do to others as we would wish 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



223 



to be done by. And where this is carried out 
practically and conscientiously, I think the indi- 
vidual is sure of heaven." 

u You are just coming to the point, Mr. 
Smith. To ' live right before God 5 is to love 
Him with all our hearts, mind and strength. 
This is the first and great commandment, and 
the second is like unto it, — ' Thou shalt love thy 
neighbor as thyself. On these two commands 
hang the whole law and the Prophets. ' Do this, 
and thou shalt live. 55 

This was being pierced with his own wea- 
pon. He had not intended to set a trap only 
to get into it himself; but look which way he 
would, he saw no loop-hole by which to creep 
out, so he wisely concluded to hold his peace. 
x\fter waiting a few moments for him to put in 
his rejoinder, Mr. Garnet said : 

"What have you to say to this? 55 at the 
same time giving him a quizzical look. 

"I don 5 t know that I have anything to say 
at present; but still I can 5 t give up my own 
opinion yet. I think there must be some argu- 
ment that would rebut yours, but it does not now 
occur to me. The fact is, I have never exa- 



224 



THE WELL DRILLER J OR, 



mined the subject carefully, and, therefore, can- 
not expect to overthrow all your statements." 

How readily and universally do persons 
confess their neglect of having investigated any 
subject when they are driven to the wall by an 
opponent. The person making such confession 
unwittingly announces his defeat. 

"After all," resumed Mr. Garnet, iw is it 
not because men are given over to self-righte- 
ousness that induces them to take such a posi- 
tion? Isn't it plain to every one that he who 
sincerely loves God will not always be trying to 
find out some other way than the one pointed out ? 
And even granting, for the sake of argument, 
that we could be saved out of the Church as 
well as in it, would it not be showing more 
respect tc our Heavenly Father to comply with 
his wish, than to disregard it altogether ? 
How would a father feel who, for instance, 
wished his children to attend the Sunday School, 
and, to show them a kindness, would lay a 
nice walk to the very door of the school house, 
and then request them, for their own sake, as 
well as ' for his, to walk on it ; but instead of 
complying with his kind and reasonable request, 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



225 



they walk along side of it ? Would lie not have 
reason to think his kindness was not appreciated ? 
and would not the children themselves feel rather 
mean to face their disappointed father? They 
certainly would, if there was the least spark of 
affection or esteem in their hearts. Now Jesus 
Christ has built the Church with His own bleeding 
hands, and, as a small favor, He asks us to come 
into it, not merely to honor Him thereby, but 
mainly for our own personal advantage ; and yet, 
men, in the face of these plain facts, persist in 
following their own diseased inclinations. How 
ungrateful, nay, rather how sinful is such 
conduct." 

" But are there not hundreds and thousands 
of really good people in the world who are not 
Church members ; men and women who take an 
active part in the Sunday school work, and are 
always ready to assist those who are in need of 
help?" inquired Mr. Smith, still inclined to "beg 
the question." 

" That depends altogether on what you mean 
by the term 6 good,' " said Mr. Garnet. " If you 
weigh those actions in the scale of human opinion, 
then you are right ; but if you take it in its widest 

13 



226 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



sense, and in the way in which God looks at them 
then you are most sadly mistaken. 3 ? 

" Then God will not regard the faithful 
Sunday school teacher for his labor, I suppose ?" 
said Mr. Smith, rather indifferently. 

"Whilst the reward is not of merit, but of 
grace, yet God, in His mercy, has promised to 
reward all who are faithful in His service." 

"Now, what do you mean when you say a 
man is faithful ?" 

" Why, I suppose it is one who does what 
he has been ordered to do." 

" Just so," said Mr. Garnet. "Now, sir, 
I want to know whether any man who is not a 
Church member has done what he has been 
ordered to do ?" 

To this cutting question Mr. Smith made no 
reply, for he was fairly caught in his own trap 
again. So Mr. Garnet continued : 

" It has oftened pained my heart to see some 
men attempting to teach in some of our Sunday 
schools. Attempting, I say, for they certainly 
can not teach very sound doctrine. What is the 
grand object of the Sunday school cause ? Is it 
not to lead perishing souls to Christ ?" 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE, 



227 



" It ought to be,' ? replied Mr. Smith. 

" Certainly, but is it not evident that some of 
our classes will never find Christ under the 
ministrations of their teachers, unless, indeed, 
they drive them to Him. And happy will those 
classes be if they do not follow in the footsteps 
of their teachers, for if the ' blind lead the blind, 
they will both fall into the ditch.' 55 

This last remark stung Mr. Smith to the 
quick, for he had prided himself in his abilities 
to teach a class. His first impulse was to fling 
an angry retort at the Doctor, but he suddenly 
remembered how nicely he had trapped himself 
several times already,, and his better nature 
revolted at the idea of flying into a passion, so 
he said, with as much composure as he could 
command : 

"Then my teaching is all wrong, I suppose ?" 

"If it is not, there can be no consistency 
about it;" replied Mr. Garnet, "for to teach a 
certain thing to others, and not follow it ourselves, 
certainly looks a little spurious. Why not get 
fully into the path yourself, then you can tell your 
pupils, ' This is the way, walk ye in it. 5 If your 
teaching corresponds with your practice, it is 



228 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



certainly at variance with God's word. There 
can be no other alternative. See to it then, that 
both your teaching and life agree with what 
Christ demands, and yon may expect to reap a 
glorious reward in the future ; but continue as 
you now are, and you may be the means of leading 
some confiding soul away from, instead of to, 
Christ." 

Here Mr. Garnet paused, consulted his 
watch, and made some remark concerning the 
lateness of the hour. 

Whereupon Mr. Miller said that he could 
listen for several hours yet, but, perhaps, the 
brethren were tired and would like to go to rest 
soon, so he invited the Doctor to conduct the 
evening's devotions, as some of the children were 
getting sleepy. 

After worship, they spent some time in 
pleasant conversation, but it was easy to see that 
Mr. Smith was not at his ease. Being naturally 
a great talker, he found it an easy matter to keep 
up a conversation ; but, somehow, he was not in 
a very talkative mood just now, and hence Mr. 
Miller had to take his place, whilst lie himself 
sat intently gazing at a picture which hung on 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



229 



the wall. He was not studying the picture, 
however, but he was reviewing his past life as he 
had never done before. Finally, he arose, bade 
them all good night, and went into his room. 
Soon after, the rest of the family also retired, and 
ere long were soundly embraced in the arms of 
slumber. 



230 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



CHAPTER XII. 



At the Sunda}'-School— Mr. Marshall feels restless— The 
Doctor asks him to address the school — He refuses — 
He assists the Doctor in the pulpit — Embarrassment 
— Blunders — Relief — The Doctor's sermon — A strong 
argument against the merely moral and nominal pro- 
fessor — A sense of unfitness no just reason to remain 
out of the church — Every truly converted man is 
found in the church — Mr. . Smith brought to serious 
reflection — He unites with the church — Mr. Marshall 
studies faithfully — Refuses to preach — Calls on a 
neighboring minister — Had promised to preach for 
him — Is pressed into the service — His feelings — The 
effort — The success — The final examination and licen- 
sure — Goes home — The arrival — Occupies the pulpit 
on the following Sabbath — Visits a vacant charge — 
Unanimously called — Accepts — Preaches a year — Re- 
visits home — Preaches again — The people surprised 
at his sudden appearance — Service announced for 
Thursday evening — Suspicions — Large congregation 
— Mr. Alexander preaches himself-^The people won- 
der — A wedding — Who ? — Mr. Marshall and the Widow 
Lane — Leave for their field of labor—Mrs. Marshall 
differs vastly from her former self— They are beloved 
by all their flock — Active and successful in building 
up the church — Taking leave of them —Wishing 
them well. 

Next morning, at an early hour, the people 
came from every direction, until the church was 
comfortably filled. After several pieces were 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



231 



sung, and a prayer offered, the reorganization of 
the school took place. Mr. Marshall was sitting 
about half way between the door and pulpit, and 
as the business drew near its close, he began to 
tremble all over, for fear the Doctor would an- 
nounce publicly that he was to speak; but Mr. 
Garnet had too much sympathy for the , young 
men to treat them in such an impromptu manner, 
so he came back to where he sat and asked him 
whether he would make an address ; but he said 
he would rather be excused. 

" Well I will excuse you from this, but I 
desire you to assist me in the pulpit. The people 
all expect it, and, besides, you will have to make 
a beginning some time. So just resolve to go 
through with it. You need only make one prayer, 
and announce one of the hymns. I shall depend 
on it," said the Doctor, and walked away before 
he could make any reply. 

At length the time arrived for him to ascend 
the pulpit. With a few long steps he reached 
the sofa and dropped on it like lead, and began 
to measure his feet with his eyes. And when he 
announced the hymn, he made a mistake in the 
number, which caused his already red cheeks to 



232 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



become more crimson still. With the prayer, he 
fared but little better, for in attempting to conclude 
it with the Lord's Prayer, he got several of the 
petitions transposed, which made his heart almost 
sink within him, for it would make the impression 
on the audience that he was unacquainted with 
it. But the worst moments, as well as the best 
ones, must pass away, and right glad did he feel 
when he stepped out of that Church, which to him 
had well nigh been a purgatory. But it was all 
over, and he felt pretty comfortable again. 

I wish, dear reader, that you had been there 
to hear that sermon which Dr. Garnet preached. 
His text was that memorable question which 
the Saviour put to Peter after his resurrection. 
Words which must have pierced his very soul, 
by bringing to his remembrance his sin in denying 
the Master. 

" Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me 
more than these?" Thrice had this impulsive 
man denied his Master, notwithstanding his 
strong expressions of fidelity to Him ; and 
thrice did Jesus ask, " Lovest thou me ?" 

Mr. Garnet's discourse was directed chiefly 
at those who, without obeying Christ, pretend to 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



233 



be His followers, or, at least, as good as His 
followers. After an appropriate introduction, 
he briefly reviewed the unreasonable conduct of 
the votaries of infidelity and skepticism, then 
directed the attention of his audience to the lead- 
ing types of ungodliness, observing, as he com- 
pleted the review, that u scores, yea, thousands, 
would as scon cut off their right hands as to run 
with these workers of iniquity into the same ex- 
tremes of unrighteousness ; and yet to all such 
the text came with condemning power. The infi- 
del, the skeptic, the voluptuary, and all the wor- 
shippers of Baal, love not the Lord Jesus Christ, 
because they obey not His commandments, 
which require obedience toward Him. Neither 
do these boasted moralists love Him, because 
they also fail to render to Him that obedience 
which is required as the test of discipleship ; for 
when Peter affirmed that he loved his Master, 
He said, 'Feed my lambs,' 'Feed my sheep. 5 
And elsewhere He adds : 6 If ye love me, ye 
will keep my commandments. ' It is quite true 
that a man may have the 'form of godliness 5 
without knowing aught of its power ; but who, 
other than a mere novice in the Divine truths, 



234 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



would venture to reverse the order, and claim 
that a man might long experience the powers of 
a vital godliness while persistently ignoring its 
forms % 6 Let God be true, and every man a 
liar. ' Seek not to prescribe for God ; and, as 
you value the hope of a home in heaven, have 
an eye to the landmarks by the way. 

" Observe how the people of God in all ages 
stood in external covenant relation to Him as 
well as by internal experiences. All who de- 
sired to become partakers in the spiritual bless- 
ings of the Abrahamic covenant received the 
outward sign. And when, on the day of Pente- 
cost, the multitudes ' were pricked in their heart, ' 
and said, 6 Men and brethren, what shall we 
do V ' Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said 
unto th em, Repent and be baptized, every one of 
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remis- 
sion of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the 
Holy Ghost. 5 

" And here, by the way, I cannot help notic- 
ing the difference between the instructions given 
by many who w^ant to be wiser than an inspired 
Apostle and that which was here given. If 
some of our modern preachers and evangelists 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



235 



had been in Peter's place, they would have said : 
" Seek first the 4 gift of the Holy Ghost,' and 
then you can be baptized if you see fit ;" or, in 
other and plainer words: 'Stay in the Devil's 
territory until you are fit to come into Christ's 
Kingdom.' What unwarranted presumption! 
and how it clashes with Christ's own words to 
Nicodemus ! See how prominently he joins the 
external with the internal. Yea, he says : 
' Except a man be born of water and of the 
Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of 
God.' 

" Again, returning to the Pentecostal sea- 
son, we are told that ' the Lord added to the 
Church daily such as should be saved. ' These 
were in addition to the three thousand that were 
' added ' on the day of Pentecost. And when 
Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch in the char- 
iot, the latter desired to receive the external sign 
of baptism as a visible assurance of discipleship. 
Now, did Philip advise him to wait until he had 
experienced or ' got' religion, as the popular 
phrase runs ? Not one word of such miserable 
heterodoxy ; but he did demand a profession 
from the eunuch, and it came, prompt and 



236 • THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

pointed : 6 I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son 
of God. 5 To Philip this was worth more than 
all the confused groans and hysterical laughs that 
are so characteristic of the modern anxious 
bench, because it was in accordance with what 
God requires. And when the jailer tremblingly 
asked Paul what he must do to be saved, the 
answer came, quick and clear : 1 Believe on the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved ;' and 
lo, the 6 same hour of the night' he ' was bap- 
tized, he and all his, straightway, 5 after which 
came the rejoicing, as well as in the case of the 
' eunuch.' 

' ' Now, from all these instances, and from 
the legion of others which might be referred to, 
both in the Old and the New Testaments, we 
deduce the unanswerable argument that where 
genuine love toward God and a sincere desire for 
salvation existed, there we invariably discover a 
willingness, nay, a strong desire and great anx- 
iety, to comply with God's established order of 
grace. Would it not have looked a little suspi- 
cious had the three thousand who ' received His 
word 5 said : 6 We can live outside as well as in 
the Church V And how would it have sounded 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 237 

for the eunuch to reply to Philip's advice to be 
baptized : c There's nothing in the external form ; 
I love Jesus and can serve Him just as well 
without submitting to baptism V I venture that, 
with few exceptions, the universal verdict would 
have been: 'He is multiplying words without 
knowledge.' And jet vast multitudes are occu- 
pying the same unwarranted position. Observe 
carefully how the early Christians acted in this 
matter, — no quibbling or finding fault with the 
instructions of their teachers. The superior wis- 
dom of God was fully recognized, and His inal 
ienable right to prescribe duly acknowledged. 
All went on the supposition that the Church had 
been founded for the purpose of preparing man- 
kind, through her ordinances, as means of grace, 
for a better life beyond this vale of tears. 
Hence, whenever an individual sought to obtain 
the blessing of God's pardoning favor, he sought 
it through the Church as the body of Christ. 
This was the only recognized channel along 
which God had promised to bestow the riches of 
His grace in Christ. To this channel, accord- 
ingly, all His people came, even as the thirsty 
traveler seeks the cool waters of the sparkling 



238 



THIS WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



stream. He expects not to have his thirst 
assuaged as long as he continues to walk along 
the dusty highway. He knows better, also, than 
to depend on the tiny drops of dew which nightly 
fall around him, but to the stream he runs with 
joyful haste, and there, by its shady banks, he 
quaffs the refreshing beverage, and cares for no 
other potion than that which flows to him from 
the beneficent hand of his Maker. Even so 
does the soul which is thirsting for the Water of 
Life come to the stream which flows from the 
throne of the Eternal, and, as it partakes of the 
life-giving current, blesses God that such a deli- 
cious portion has been provided for it, and, with 
the Psalmist, it can truly say : ' The lines have 
fallen to me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a 
goodly heritage.' " 

We cannot follow the Doctor throughout 
his discourse, as that would transcend the limits 
of this little volume, but he showed, in a mas- 
terly way, that every Christian, under ordinary 
circumstances, is to be found in some one of the 
numerous branches of Christ's Kingdom. And 
the discourse was not in vain, for it started a 
train of thought in Mr. Smith's mind which, in 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



239 



a short time, led him to consecrate his powers to 
the full service of Christ. Henceforward his 
instructions as Sunday-school teacher partook of 
a more free and practical nature. Now he could 
urge upon them the necessity of turning to 
Christ. But his example did more, perhaps, 
in this direction than his teaching, or, rather, it 
gave force and stability to it ; and long did 
he remain a faithful friend of the pastor 
by assisting him in leading the young to 
Christ. 

During the months that passed between this 
first adventure and the close of the term, our 
friend Marshall applied himself to his studies 
with great diligence. Several times he accom- 
panied one of his class-mates, who was supplying 
a vacant congregation several miles from the city, 
but he invariably refused to preach, notwithstand- 
ing he always carried a number of u sketches," 
or " skeletons, 5 ? of sermons on such occasions. 
At last, however, he was pressed into the delivery 
of a sermon rather unexpectedly. He had gone 
out into the country to spend the Sabbath with a 
minister whose acquaintance he had formed, and 
who had once before invited him to nil his 



240 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



appointment, but lie had got off by promising to 
do so the next time he came to visit him. 

The Minister not being at home on Saturday 
when Mr. Marshall arrived, the latter concluded 
to pass the night at the house of one of the 
Elders, with whom he was quite well acquainted. 

The next morning Mr. Marshall arrived at 
the church some time in advance of the Minister, 
and, remembering his promise, and knowing how 
hard the Pastor would insist, he made up his 
mind to tell the Minister that he would return in 
two weeks, and then he would preach for him. 

Presently the Pastor came in, and seeing 
our friend, went to him and said, smilingly: 

" Well, Bro. Marshall, you will }3reach for 
me to-day. 55 

" Not to-day, because I have made up my 
mind to come back in two weeks, and I prefer 
waiting until that time. 55 

" I would willingly submit to your decision,' 5 
said the Minister, but matters of importance will 
call my attention elsewhere at that time, and 
before my next appointment the Term will close, 
which will give me no opportunity to hear you 
preach. Besides, why not just as well begin 



CAN LD * OUTS )E. 



241 



to-day as in two weeks ? You will liave to £ break 
in' some time, and it will never be a particle 
easier to do so than just now, so just make up 
your mind to that effect." 

Mr. Marshall saw and acknowledged the 
force of what the Minister said, but still lie 
hesitated. And as the seconds swiftly rolled on, 
he began to feel weak and trembling, and the 
perspiration oozed out from every pore. Drawing 
out his watch, the Minister said : 

i 4 See, it is time to begin the services, and 
the people are waiting. Come right along, and 
I will assist you all I can. 5 ' 

And partly rising, took him by the coat 
sleeve, saying, in a whisper : 

" Come on, it is time to commence." 

This brought matters to a crisis. The people 
?U looked as if they were in great suspense, and 
began to manifest signs of impatience. Uttering 
a silent petition for help, he arose and marched 
after the Pastor into the pulpit. 

Scarcely had he sat down, when a feeling of 
composure came to his assistance. And by the 
time he was ready to announce the text, but little 
embarrassment remained, and for almost an hour 

14 



242 



THE WELL DEIT T > I ; OR, 



he spoke like one accustomed to the business. 
After the congregation was dismissed, the Min- 
ister put his hand on Mr. Marshall's back, saying 

as he did so : 

' 4 That was excellent. You far exceeded 
my expectations, and by perseverance you wiR 
become a splendid speaker." 

The congregation also seemed to be quite 
"well pleased with his effort, for they had listened 
almost spell-bound while he was speaking, and 
now a number of them came forward and cordially 
shook his hand, expressing their entire satisfaction 
with the discourse. 

The next three weeks were spent mainly at 
reviewing by the class, preparatory to the final 
examination, which was well sustained by all the 
young men. Each one was licensed to preach 
the Gospel. Next day they bade adieu to each 
other and the Professors, each one 'bearing with 
him the prayers and well-wishes of all the rest. 

After a pleasant ride of about thirty hours, 
our young friend and brother arrived at his 
destination, where lie was met by his father, the 
Pastor, and a goodly number of friends, who 
joined to give him a cordial gre&tfat£ 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



243 



The next Sabbath he occupied the pulpit in 
the church, where, but a few years before he 
had so embarrassed Mr. Alexander, by his sud- 
den resolve to become a Christian. He preached 
with credit to himself, although he afterwards 
said : 

6 ' 1 felt as though I would like to climb a 
tree, and draw it up after me, for I felt so 
ashamed of my effort." 

This, however, is not an unusual thing for 
beginners. Mr. Alexander remembered quite 
distinctly how very similar his own feelings were 
when he began the work of the Holy Ministry, 
hence he could give encouragement to the young 
Brother. 

After resting for a few weeks, Mr. Marshall 
went to visit a vacant charge, from which he had 
received an invitation, with a view of becoming 
their Pastor, should everything be mutually 
satisfactory. The brethren were so well pleased 
with his appearance and style of preaching, that 
they gave him a unanimous call, which was, of 
course, accepted, and at once entered upon. 
After preaching about a year, and having been 
ordained to the Ministry, and installed to the 



244 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR. 



Pastorate over the charge, he felt a strong desire 
to return home. In fact, he never before felt so 
anxious to go as now. What could it mean? 
There must certainly be an object of attraction 
somewhere. Again he is at home ; and as he 
enters the Church on the next Sabbath, the 
people look wonderingly at each other, but none 
can explain his unexpected appearance. But 
when Mr. Alexander announced service for the 
following Thursday evening, some strange suspi- 
cions began to arise that something unusual was 
about to transpire. With the evening came a 
large congregation of people, who were all on 
the alert to detect the least deviation from the 
regular sendees. And when Mr. Alexander 
ascended the pulpit alone, the argus-eyed wor- 
shippers noticed that an unusual gleam of satis- 
faction lit up his features, which, to them, 
betokened the near approach of some interesting 
and pleasant event. After completing his brief 
discourse, he stepped down into the chancel and 
invited the party to come forward who designed 
entering the matrimonial state. Instantly every 
eye was turned to see who "the party" was, 
when lo ! Mr. Marshall advanced toward the 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



245 



alter, leading the young and blushing Widow 
Lane. In a few moments, the two were made 
one, and received the hearty congratulations of 
their many friends. On the following Sabbath, 
Mr. Marshall occupied the pulpit, and delivered 
a most telling sermon to his appreciative audience. 

On the next Wednesday the bridal party set 
out for their future home, where they were cor- 
dially received by the expectant members, who 
showed them every mark of respect and appre- 
ciation. 

Since her conversion, Mrs. Lane (now Mrs. 
Marshall) had given the best possible evidence 
that " old things had passed away, and all had 
become new." She was no longer the proud 
and haughty person she had been before. That 
one great sorrow had brought her to reflection, 
and the counsel x)f Mr. Alexander led her to 
enter into a new sphere of existence, and, with 
her husband, she receives the^most cordial 
respect. She became, in the true sense, a ' 'help 
meet" to Mr. Marshall, for, while he, in the 
pulpit, directed the inquiring soul to Christ, she, 
in turn, labored efficiently in the Sunday-school, 
and many, through her teaching, were brought 



240 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



into the catechetical class, where they received 
such training as to make them substantial Chris- 
tians. 

They are continually growing in the esteem 
and respect of their people, who would be very 
loth, indeed, to part with their spiritual guides ; 
and they, in turn, are so attached to the people 
as to have no desire for a better field ; and, with 
God's blessing upon their labors, the} 7 expect to 
be successful in building up the waste places of 
Zion. 

While thus engaged, we take our final leave 
of them, praying that the Great Shepherd in 
Israel will use them as instruments in gathering 
many of His lost and straying sheep into His 
fold, and that their days may be many on the 
earth, so that, when their time Of labor and toil 
is ended, they may have scores of dazzling stars 
in the crown of their rejoicing in heaven. 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



247 



APPENDIX. 

A minister has a varied experience — Some pleasant, oth- 
ers otherwise — Mr. Sultan, an elder in the church — 
Mr. Alexander calls on him — Is invited to accompany 
him to a neighboring town — Accepts — The conversa- 
tion — Mr. Sultan fears the congregation will go dowa 
— The minister cannot see why it should — Mr. Suits a 
thinks false doctrine has been preached - Mr. Alexan- 
der astonished — He has not preached heresy, but Mr. 
Blake has — He tells what it was — Gives his own views 
— Mr. Alexander can see no heresy, but believes the 
same doctrine — Mr. Sultan thinks infants need not be 
regenerated — Mr. Alexander makes such views appeal 
ridiculous — Shows that they are sinners — Mr. Sultaa 
driven to the wall -Wishes to close the conversation 
— Mr. Alexander holds that even infants must be bom 
again — Proofs — Begins to see matters in n new light 
— Must consider — In to wn— Start home— M r. iexao 
der re-opens the conversation — Old prejudices returned 
— The conversation did not take the turn he had 
intended — Explains — A man must know when he is 
converted — Gives his experience — Sorry that he had 
been catechized — Not converted until long rfterw^ri 
— Get the heart right, and the head will come right- — 
Some ministers make a hobby of instruction — Experi- 
encing religion vs inexperienced catechumens — Feel- 
ings liable to deceive us — All persons are not capable 
of the same emotions — The Word of God the only 
infallible guide — Mr. Sultan becomes exasperated — 
Claims sinless perfection — Condemns himself by get- 
ting angry — Perfection not attainable in this life — 
Want of instruction endangers the happiness of tbe 



MS THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

soul — Man must know that lie is a sinner — Mr. Sal- 
tan's argument applies to the Sunday- School, Bible- 
reading and preaching as well as to catechization — It 
gives Christians a solid foundation — No intelligent 
person would depend on his knowledge for salvatiou 
— Mr. Sultan believes in the anxious-bench system — 
Speaks of its success — M '. Alexander questions him 
— Shows its impotence — Often leads to skepticism — 
Some of its practices — Does not accord with the Apos- 
tle's teaching — Mr. Sultan thinks he has been shown 
only the dark side— M r . Alexander assures him that 
there are others just as dark — A critical period — The 
blind leading the blind — The better way — Its good 
i-esults — Mi. Sultan reviews the subject — How the 
bench system had been mysterious to him— M ^moiy 
at work — Finally merges into the light — Changes his 
mind. 

Tim pathway of a faithful minister is check- 
ered with a varied experience. Many things 
cause the heart to expand with delight, whilst 
others bring sorrow and gloom. Oftentimes, 
too, these experiences come from the least sus- 
pected quarters. Persons of whom better things 
might reasonably be expected frequently place 
themselves in such a position as to bring discour- 
agement upon others ; a " thorn in the flesh " to 
pastors, and a spectacle of ignorance before an- 
gels and men. 

Such, at least, was the experience of Mr. 
Alexander at the time of which we write. Hav- 



I CA\ LIVE OUTSIDE. 



249 



ing, one Saturday morning, called at the house of 
one of his members, who occupied a prominent 
position in one of his congregations, he was 
invited to accompany him to a neighboring town. 
As the day was fine, Mr. Alexander accepted 
the invitation, and so, after an early dinner, they 
started. The first half hour was spent in con- 
versation about the various objects of interest 
which met their eye. At length, however, it 
turned to the present and future prospects of the 
congregation. 

"I don't think, 55 said Mr. Sultan, " that 
our church will ever be be built up in this neigh- 
borhood, for I don't see any prospect of gather- 
ing any of our young people into it; and, of 
course, the older ones will soon have to leave, 
and when eight or ten of these are gone, there 
will be no one to keep it up." 

" I perceive," replied Mr. Alexander, u that 
you are not very sanguine of success. I cannot 
see why the young people cannot be reached, so as 
to be gathered in in due time. There is certainly 
material enough in the community to make a 
large congregation in a few years." 

"Yes, that is all so, Mr. Alexander; but 



250 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



I tell you, with tlie kind of doctrine that has been 
preached here of late, it is calculated to kill the 
church, even if they could be gathered in." 

" Why, you astonish me, Mr. Sultan ! 
What do you mean ? Have I been preaching 
false doctrine ?" 

u No, I don't accuse you of any wrong 
teaching ; but there is Mr. Blake, who, you 
know, preaches here e^ery two weeks ; and it is 
perfectly awful what views he does entertain. 
Why, only last Sunday he said that a person 
might be converted (or regenerated is the word 
he used) even before he was born. He made 
use of this expression : c The spiritual birth 
often takes place simultaneously with the natu- 
ral birth; yea, even sometimes precedes it.' 
Now, if that isn't false doctrine, I don't know 
what is," said Mr. Sultan, growing quite elo- 
quent over his theme. 

u So," replied Mr. Alexander, smiling, 
u then you really think Bro. Blake is a heretic, 
do you?" 

"Why, who ever heard of such a thing 
before?" 

u I have, Mr. Sultan; and not only have I 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



251 



heard of such a thing, but I believe it from the 
very depths of my soul." 

This last remark brought a most incredulous 
stare from Mr. Sultan. 

"Is it possible?" he said, at length. 

u Quite possible, — nay, pkobable, — yea, 
even certain." 

u Then I fear you will not have my support 
very long," replied Mr. Sultan, with an inde- 
pendent toss of the head. 

" That might possibly be, but I must preach 
the true doctrine, whoever may take offence at 
it," said Mr. Alexander, with seriousness in his 
tone. u You certainly know that the Prophet 
Jeremiah was ' sanctified 5 before he was born. 
The same was also true with John the Baptist. 
Now, these are plain cases recorded by inspired 
pens ; and how are you going to get over this ' her- 
esy ' which is so prominent in the Bible itself?" 

b 6 Yes, but these men were set apart for 
some special work, " said Mr. Sultan, with the 
air of one who begins to see the awkwardness of 
his position. 

" Does not that, however, prove what Bro. 
Blake said to be correct?" 



252 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



" Yes.; but then he meant that even nowa- 
days such things take place." 

" Very well; I believe that, too, and it 
remains for you| to prove my position to be a 
false one," said Mr. Alexander, with earnestness. 
" Let me hear your arguments, Mr. Sultan." 

" I will not undertake to argue the point 
with you, but I claim the right to hold my views 
without giving any reasons tor so doing. 5 5 

Mr. Alexander, seeing that he was going to 
slip out of the trap in this way, resolved to make 
it uncomfortable for him, so he said : 

"You believe in Infant damnation, do you 
not?" 

"No, sir, I do not," replied Mr. Sultan, 
rather bluntly. 

"Not of Infants who die before they are 
born into the world ? Have such no souls ? 
What say you to this ?" 

"Yes; I believe such Infants have souls, 
but they do not need to be regenerated in order 
to be saved," replied Mr. Sultan. 

' ' How is that ? No need of being regen- 
erated ? Why, does not the Saviour say in the 
third chapter of John, that 'Except as man be born 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 253 

again, he shall not see the kingdom of God.' " 
u Yes; but he speaks of 'men,' not of 
Infants." 

' fi Then are women exempt from the necessity 
of being born again ? Come, Brother Sultan, I 
fear you are getting along rather faster than the 
way is opened, and there is danger of you 
getting into the brush," said Mr. Alexander, 
rather good-naturedly. 

Mr. Sultan saw in what a ridiculous light he 
had placed himself, but being too independent to 
acknowledge a defeat, he replied : 

" They have no need of being regenerated, 
because they are not sinners ; and, besides this, 
Christ died for them, and hence they are saved." 

" It is quite true that they are not sinners in 
the sense that adults are ; but does not the 
Psalmist say, ' Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, 
and in sin did my mother conceive me.' Does 
that not make the matter plain ? If not, then 
will you please tell me why Infants die, since we 
are expressly taught that death is the legitimate 
result of sin. If they are not sinners they 
should not die, because 4 death came by sin. ' 
What have you to say to this ?" 



254 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

What could he say, for was not the argu- 
ment, though brief, conclusive ? At any rate he 
would not attempt to answer it, and as they were 
now getting near the town, Mr. Sultan said : " I 
don't wisli to say anything mere about the 
subject now. 55 But his real and true reason was, 
he could say nothing, and, hence, sought to 
cover his defeat in this way. So Mr. Alexander 
said : 

" You are not the only man that believes 
this doctrine ; but, nevertheless, it is false, for 
the scriptures most emphatically declare the 
necessity of the new birth as a title to heaven. 5 5 

Here a new idea struck Mr. Sultan, and he 
hastily stated it : 

' ' Repentance is required of all who would 
be saved, and since Infants can' not repent, it is 
proof to me that they need not be bovn again. 55 

"You err, Mr. Sultan, in not keeping the 
distinction properly before you. Repentance is 
required only of those who have committed 
actual sin, and as said a moment ago, Infants 
have no such sin, hence they can not repent of 
what they have not done, but are already pre- 
pared to receive the sanctifying influence of the 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



255 



Holy Ghost. For you must bear in mind that 
whilst man is active in repentance, he is wholly 
passive in regeneration. This is the sole work 
of the Holy Spirit. ISTow, if it can regenerate a 
hardened sinner, who has repented of his thous- 
ands of sins, why can it not regenerate the soul 
of the child who has committed no actual trans- 
gression ? ?5 

This explanation seemed to throw new 
light on the subject in Mr. Sultan's mind, so lie 
said : 

u I must look at it more carefully." 

By this time they were in the edge of the 
town, and hence nothing more was said on the 
subject. 

After spending an hour or two in attending 
to some business, they set out to return; so, after 
they had gone a little way, Mr. Alexander said : 

"I suppose you have been studying over 
our conversation. What conclusion have you 
come to?" 

By this time Mr. Sultan's old prejudices 
came back to him, so much so, that he was 
unwilling to acknowledge his error, so he said : 

u The conversation did not take the tarn I 



256 



TO E WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



intended it should, and therefore it left me at a 
disadvantage. 55 

"What turn did you intend it should take, 

then? 55 

"Why I did not wish to investigate the 
subject of Infant Salvation, but referred to it 
merely to show that Mr. Blake claims that one 
may be converted and not know it. Now, I 
claim that every Christian knows when he passes 
from death unto life At least, I remember quite 
well when I was. converted, and all the preachers 
in the State could not make me believe other- 
wise, 55 said Mr. Sultan, with emphasis. 

" Well, go on then, for if you are not open 
to conviction it is only wasting time to argue the 
case, 55 said Mr. Alexander, with a wink, 

"Well, sir, I'll just tell yoii how it was. I 
went to catechise to our Minister when I was 
about eighteen, and after we got through the 
catechism, we were all confirmed as members of 
the Church. But for several years I knew noth- 
ing of religion ; and when I at length came 
under conviction, the thing that troubled me 
about the most was, that I had attended these 
instructions. 55 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



257 



" Ah ! indeed. It seems rather remarkable 
to me that a soul, laboring under a sense of con- 
demnation, should regret having studied the 
Word of God. For what else is the Catechism, 
but the doctrines of the Bible as understood by 
our own Church. Are not all its statements 
proved by one or more Scripture passages ?" 

"Well, I do not mean exactly that I was 
sorry for having studied the Catechism, but that 
I was in full connection with the Church, and 
had been at the Lord's table, without knowing 
anything about religion. It was that that wor- 
ried me, and I think justly too." 

" Do not be offended at me, Brother Sultarv 
if I talk very plainly to you ; but I must say, that 
however much you had gone over the Catechism, 
you had not studied it. For where, if not in 
that precious symbol, do you learn what is re- 
quired of you ? But, if this system is unsound, 
will you please tell me which is the right way to 
bring our youth into the Church ?" 

"By experimental religion. We want to 
get the heart right first, and the head will become 
right, too, before long." 

"But how can this be accomplished ? It 

15 



258 



THE WELL DRILLER j OR, 



seems to me the thought is unreasonable. To 
expect a man to do something before lie feels the 
necessity of it, or knows how to do it, is certainly 
unnatural," said Mr. Alexander. 

"I don't mean to say that, instruction is 
unnecessary ; but I do mean to say that some 
Ministers make a hobby of it, and seem to care 
very little about heart work, if only they can 
make their hearers intelligent. Away with such 
an idea. Give me a man who has experienced 
religion, and I would not give him for a whole 
church full of inexperienced Catechumens that 
had been drilled for ten years," said Mr. Sultan, 
closing in a defiant tone. 

" I do not know whether I exactly under- 
stand what you mean by experiencing religion 
as used in contrast with inexperienced cate- 
chumens," said Mr. Alexander. "It seems to 
me that you really make an unnecessary dis- 
tinction. Will you please explain ?" 

"That's easy to do," replied Mr. Sultan. 
"By experiencing religion, I mean to have it, 
and to feel it in our hearts. By inexperienced 
Catechumens, I mean all such, who, like my- 
self, had gone through a regular course of study, 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



259 



and then taken into full communion with the 
Church, and yet know nothing of the power of 
Godliness, having merely its form. That's just 
exactly what I mean when I use these 
expressions." 

u Your doctrine might sound very well to a 
benighted heathen ; but one who has properly 
improved his opportunities in this enlightened 
day and age of the world, will not likely be 
deceived by words without knowledge, such as 
these evidently are. Now, I do not deny that 
religion — as you call it — brings a feeling of hap- 
piness to its possessor ; but when you take the 
feelings alone, as an infallible criterion, you 
stand on a very sandy foundation indeed. For 
do you not know that our feelings are liable to 
change ? Circumstances, such as state of health, 
prosperity cr adversity, or even a change of 
weather, will bring about a corresponding state 
or change in the feelings. Then, again, owing 
to the difference in temperaments, all persons are 
not susceptible of the same degree of joy or 
grief. Now, suppose your model is one who was 
capable ot intense feeling, and because of this 
fact, he is considered to be a good Christian ; but 



260 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



now his neighbor does not happen to be of such 
a sanguine temperament, and hence his feelings 
are not so intense, but he desires with all his 
heart to become a follower of Jesus, would it 
not cause him unnecessary grief to require of him 
the same emotions which his neighbor ex- 
perienced ? Most certainly it would, hence you 
err in demanding it. Now, take the unchanging 
and unchangeable Word of God for the criterion 
and he can decide his case promptly and with 
perfect accuracy. There he is taught the neces- 
sity of repeutance, of faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and an obedience to all the requirements 
of the Gospel. Having now faithfully and 
habitually engaged in these things, he has the 
best possible evidence of his acceptance with 
God, even though his feelings be not so intense ; 
for Christ does not say, he that fekleth much 
joy, but fi lie that believeth" shall be saved." 

During these remarks Mr. Sultan's face grew 
pale and red by turns. Tie had never been 
talked to in such a plain way before ; and, as he 
saw what little force Mr. Alexander laid on his 
arguments, he became rather passionate ; so he 
said : 



I CAN LJTE OUTSIDE. 



261 



u I think it would be a blessed thing if some 
of our ministers had a little more religion than 
they have. I think they would preach quite dif- 
ferently from what they do. 3 5 

u I know not whether you intend to apply 
this remark to me or not," replied Mr. Alexan- 
der ; M neither does it make a particle of differ- 
ence to me so far as I am concerned, for I look 
to God for direction, and not to sinful man — " 

44 1 want you to understand, " interrupted 
Mr. Sultan, "that I am not one of your sinning, 
Christians ! I've got over that abominable doc- 
trine, and, thank (rod, I am fully sanctified." 

must beg your pardon, Mr. Sultan. I 
had no reference to you individually when I used 
the words 'sinful man;' but allow me, right 
here, to say that, however far others may have 
advanced in the 'Higher Life,' I fear that you 
are quite near the foot of the hill, if, indeed, you 
have reached it at all, for you just now have 
given evidence against yourself by getting into 
an unnecessary passion ; and you certainly have 
need to pray the Lord to 4 forgive ' your 6 tres- 
passes,' which would be useless were you a sin- 
less man. And, as to being wholly sanctified in 



262 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



the sense in which you just used it, I will merely 
say that it is a well-known fact that not a single 
well-informed and sound-sensed person has ever 
advocated it. Almost every other ' ism 5 has 
had more intelligence at its head than this. But 
that is a small matter, when an inspired Apostle 
declares : c Not as though I had already attained, 
either were already perfect ; but I follow after, 
if that I may apprehend that for which, also, I 
am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I 
count not myself to have apprehended : but this 
one thing I do. Forgetting those things which 
are behind, and reaching forth unto those things 
which are before, I press toward the mark for 
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus.' Surely this, with all the instructions of 
the other Apostles, should convince any man 
that it is ignorant Phariseeism to claim sinless 
perfection in this sinful world. Yea, this very 
doctrine, or, rather, the fact that such a doctrine 
is held by some, abundantly proves the correct- 
ness of my assertion that feelings are not an 
infallible guide. Nay, it proves that feelings 
may be directly opposed to the Word of God, for 
these persons would certainly not give the lie to 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



263 



their own feelings. Now, suppress the instruc- 
tion of our youths, and you cause them to run 
the gauntlet between Infidelity on the one hand 
and bigoted Phariseeism on the other ; but 
instruct them faithfully in the doctrines of the 
Bible, and they will be saved, not only to the 
Church, but to eternal happiness. 5 ' 

U I don't advocate blockheadism, but I say 
get men converted first, then fill their heads with 
intelligence," said Mr. Sultan, who had become 
a little more calm under the cutting rebuke of 
the minister. 

" I admit that conversion is the great end 
to be aimed at ; but man must be taught to 
know that he is in an unconverted state. He 
must be taught the absolute necessity of laying 
hold on Christ by repentance and faith. But 
how ' shall they believe in Him of whom they 
have not heard?' 'Faith,' you know, 'comes 
by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, ' 
Again, it is said : ' By the law is the knowledge 
of sin ; for I had not known lust, except the law 
had said, Thou shalt not covet.' This is what 
we design in our instructions, — to prepare the 
way for conversion. They must know that they 



264 THE WELL DRJLLEE, ; OR, 

are sinners before they can be induced to seek 
salvation." 

"They all know that .anyhow without giv- 
ing them special instruction ; and the danger is 
in causing them to depend on their knowledge to 
save them, just as I did," said Mr. Sultan. 

'•J cannot see how catechization can be 
dangerous, for jour arguments apply to Sunday 
schooJ instruction, Bible reading, and preaching, 
just as well ; for may these things not make the 
implosion, just as strongly as catechization 
tfoes, that nothing further is required i Most 
certainly ;, and yet I doubt very much whether 
you would be willing to- condemn them. Xo, 
my friend, the danger is all on the other side ; 
for it is a fact that vast numbers of the people 
do not fully know their lost condition; hence 
they are Indifferent about their souls' interests ; 
or, if they should be aroused from their stupid 
condition through some excitement, and thus be 
led to rely on their feelings, they have really no 
foundation to stand upon. True, they have 
heard of Christ, and some of them may have a 
vague idea of what it is to be in communion with 
Christ, but let a storm of temptation arise, and 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



265 



their sandy foundation soon gives way. You 
know the seed which fell on ' stony ground ' soon 
came up, not because the place was better adapt- 
ed to its growth, but because it had no ' deepness 
of earth;' but, alas! it soon withered away. 
That which fell 'among thorns, and by the way- 
side, 5 fared no better, for the 4 thorns sprang up 
and choked it,' and the birds came and ate it up, 
so none of them became fruitful. That on the 
4 good ground, ' which brought forth c some 
thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold,' 
did not spring up so rapidly ; but would not the 
husbandman be much better pleased with this 
than with the other ?" 

" Yes, that is all true enough; but fully 
one-third of the persons thus received into the 
Church are just depending on their knowledge to 
save them," replied Mr. Sultan. 

" If they do, it is the best of evidence that they 
are destitute of true knowledge, for that would 
teach them that something else was required." 

"But do not some Ministers teach such 
doctrine?" 

" I have never seen one who did, nor ever 
heard of one either." 



266 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



"But don't they sometimes leave their 
classes under the impression that it is all they 
need?" 

" I think no honest Minister would do so 
intentionally ; and I do not think any young 
person who had properly studied the Catechism, 
and was the possessor of ordinary 'mother wit, 5 
would ever draw such an inference as this, 
because they would simply E2\ T ow 7 better," said 
Mr. Alexander. 

" Well, let that be as it may," replied Mr. 
Sultan ; " but, after all, there is no way in which 
a Church or congregation can be built up so 
rapidly as by using the 'Mourners' Bench,' even 
for those who have been catechised. It gives 
the seekers something visible to take hold of, 
and, besides, it makes a better impression on 
those who are not seeking Christ. And I don't 
believe, Brother Alexander, that our young 
people can be brought into the Church at all 
unless you do adopt this plan. Why, just see 
how poor the attendance is now, and when 
Brother Herman was here a few years ago, the 
house was well filled every Sunday. And I have 
seen the house so full that the pulpit steps were 



CAX LIVE OUTSIDE. 



267 



all occupied, and even then, a great many had 
to stand during preaching; but now there is 
plenty of room, and to spare." 

" And did Brother Herman succeed in 
gathering many of the young into the Church ?" 
inquired Mr. Alexander. 

" I should think he did, ' said Mr. Sultan, 
quite animatedly. " Why, sir, I have seen from 
five to thirty persons kneeling at the Bench at 
one time, all earnestly seeking the Saviour, and as 
one after another found Him, and began to tell of 
their happiness, it seemed like a little Heaven 
upon earth. But now we see nothing of the 
kind. And this was not only at one particular 
time, but it was the same from year to 
year." 

And did many of them find the Saviour ?" 
asked Mr. Alexander. 

" Every one of them." 

6 ' And did they all unite with the Church 
then?" 

"The most of them did." 

"What became of the rest?" 

< 4 They became careless, and by and by fell 
off altogether," replied Mr. Sultan. 



268 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



"About how many an an average were 
taken into full membership per year f~ 

" I can hardly tell," said Mr. Suit an, "bat 
I should think about twenty." 

^ For how many years ?" 

"Ten," 

44 That would make two hundred, and there 
tire less than fifty all told. Where are the one 
hundred and fifty who were then taken into the 
Church from the Bench, to say nothing about 
those who were members before Brother Tier- 
man commenced his labors. We ought to have, 
to-day, after making due allowance for losses by 
death and removal, not less than one hundred 
and fifty or sixty active members ; and we have 
less than one-third. And, yet, according to your 
belief, there were two hundred genuine con- 
versions at the Bench. Now, Brother Sultan, it 
seems to me that results like these should con- 
vince any candid mind that the whole system of 
Anxious Benchism ought to be served as we do 
deadly poisons. It ought to be properly and 
plainly labeled and set in some dark and unused 
niche. The system certainly bears the label, 
tekel, but illy concealed upon its very lace. 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 269 

Yes, this is the way to build up our Churches 
rapidly, but, alas, facts are abundant to prove 
that it is one of the best ways to break them 
clown. Look at the skepticism of many in this 
neighborhood, and who shall say that it does 
not owe its existence to this unscriptural system. 
Is it any wonder that Infidelity flourishes when it 
sees so many of the converted (?) falling away ? 
And some of those very persons who made the 
greatest show at the Bench, do not hesitate to 
denounce Christianity as a sham. Why ? Sim- 
ply because it has never brought them the com- 
fort of which they had been told. And just here 
is where ' tekel 5 should be written. Amid the 
excitement caused by the confusion of the hour, 
they 'thought they had passed from death unto 
life. Now, had they been properly instructed in 
the doctrines of our holy religion, they would 
never have come to the Bench, much less suf- 
fered themselves to be imposed upon. Why, sir, 
I have seen, and, doubtless, you have too, for it 
is almost inseparably connected with the system 
— the most unreasonable, not to say disgusting, 
movements that I ever saw in my life right in 
the midst of this Christian (?) making process. 



270 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 

Volent contortions of the body ; the altar filled 
with men and women in the most ridiculous pos- 
tures ; everybody praying and groaning aloud, 
and, in one instance, a Minister telling them just 
to shout, - glory, glory ! 5 and they would be all 
right; and as one after the other c got through,' 
begin to instruct the still seeking ones ; the front 
pews and the aisles literally packed with an ex- 
cited and curious crowd, and those unable to get 
to the front, to have a ' good view,' make no scru- 
ples to mount thej backs of the pews, and thus 
, suddenly transformed to the altitude of giants, 
' look on,' and, joining in the oft-repeated chorus, 
a perfect volume of mixed melody goes out into 
the air. Others, matrimonially inclined, do not 
hesitate to make love to the 'sisters.' Truly, 
the multitude is as mixed as that was which once 
came out of Egypt. 

u Now, think you, Brother Sultan, that the 
God of peace and harmony is honored in such 
an assembly as this ? Do such actions not 
strongly conflict with the Apostolic injunction : 
' Let all things be done decently, and in order. ' 

'Let all things be done unto edifying.' 

' For God is not the author of confusion, but of 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



271 



peace, as in all churches of the saints.' What 
do you think ?" 

"I knew you didn't believe in it, and, of 
course, you would run it down just as low as 
possible," said Mr. Sultan, rather indifferently. 

u Have I 'run it down' any lower than 
facts demonstrate ?" 

4 4 At any rate, you have put it in its darkest 
light," said Mr. Sultan. 

44 Indeed I have not," replied Mr. Alexan- 
der, earnestly. I merely hinted at one of its 
darkest features, whilst a great many of the ex- 
travagant and unbecoming things connected with 
it were not noticed at ail." 

44 What are they?" asked Mr. Sultan. 

44 They are almost too ridiculous to tell, but, 
since you have asked for them, I will give one 
or two. I was personally present on one occa- 
sion when all the extravagances above men- 
tioned had been indulged in, when, finally, 
preacher and mourners became so tired out that 
they took their seats around the altar, and sat 
as quietly and disinterestedly as any set of per- 
sons I ever saw. Presently the minister said, 
with a smile : 4 1 guess we have a religious sit- 



272 THE WELL DRILLER ; OR 

ting here to-night,' upon which the whole com- 
pany burst out into a hearty laugh. On another 
occasion, I was told, upon good authority, a 
young man became so excited that he tried to 
climb the stove-pipe to get into heaven, and, 
finding it too hot, he opened the door of the 
stove and attempted to creep into it, when some 
one interfered. And I have heard, from reliable 
sources, of many other things just as unbecom- 
ing as these." 

" What is that ' darkest feature ' which you 
just hinted at?" asked Mr. Sultan, with the air 
of one anxious, if possible, to find some flaw, or 
loop-hole, by which to get out of his uncomfort- 
able position. 

" It is, as I said, those just getting through 
attempting to teach others. Is it not the most 
critical of all periods in one's life to be brought 
to the point of seeking Christ? — a soul anx- 
iously inquiring, fi What must I do to be saved V 
Surely it needs the most careful instruction that 
can be given it. Now, who is capable of direct- 
ing such a soul ? Is it one who, perhaps, knows 
little or nothing of the doctrine of salvation ? or, 
is it one w T ho, for years, has been w r alking w r ith 



C/\ LI\E OUTSIDE. 



27S 



God ? Certainly the latter is the most capable ; 
and even he might well ask, 4 Who is sufficient 
for these things V When the man who was 
restored to sight by the Saviour was asked 
whether he saw anything, he replied : ' I see men 
as trees walking. 5 It was not until later that he 
4 saw clearly. 5 Now, had that man attempted 
to lead a blind person to a certain place, what, 
in all probability, would have been the result ? 
Not only would they not have reached the spot, 
but most likely both would have wandered into 
dangerous places. So with these new converts, 
who, as yet seeing but imperfectly, prove dan- 
gerous guides to their fellows. Let these things 
be stopped, and let only the most capable give 
instruction ; nay, rather discard this whole pro- 
cedure, which is without the least Scriptural 
authority, and let parents conscientiously tell 
their children about Christ and His work as 
soon as they are able to understand the simple 
story, and, finally, at a suitable age, pass them 
over into the hands of a faithful pastor, that they 
may be instructed in the ways of life still more 
perfectly, and seeing, as they almost invariably 
will, the necessity of repentance and faith, thej 

15 



2/4 



THE WELL DE [LLER, ; OR,, 



will be willing and ready to st3p into ful 1 com- 
munion with the Church, thus, on the one hand, 
becoming able defenders of the faith against Infi- 
delity, and, on the other, practically repudiating 
that devilish doctrine which maintains that 
church fellowship is not essential to a Chris- 
tian life." 

For several days after this conversation, Mr. 
Sultan's mind was the seat of strange and con- 
flicting thoughts. Could it be that the system 
was without Scriptural warrant or authority in 
theory ? and was it so rotten in its practical 
results ? He did not want to believe it. But 
how could he avoid these conclusions ? He him- 
self had often witnessed such ridiculous scenes 
as those described by Mr. Alexander, and often 
had the humiliating spectacle saddened his heart, 
as he beheld the young convert lapsing into the 
beggarly elements of the world again. 

And unexplained had the wonder always 
been why the most substantial members took no 
active part in those rapturous scenes in which 
the wavering and fickle-minded always excelled. 
Must lie, indeed, take back everything he had 
said in favor of the system, and also with regard 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



275 



to the doctrine of regeneration as it had been 
preached by Mr. Blake and believed by his own 
pastor ? The thought was humiliating, but he 
could see no way to get around the difficulty. 
Memory, that wonderful faculty, brought from 
her treasures gem after gem of that glorious, 
Christ-given doctrine, — that ' faith cometh by 
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, 1 — 
which had been learned in early life, but which 
had long been buried out of sight by the accum- 
ulated rubbish of prejudice. Yet so thoroughly 
had he been blindfolded by this human inven- 
tion that for some time he, too, could only 6 see 
men as trees walking.' It was not until sever a 
months later that he saw so clearly as to re 
nounce his belief in Bench religion , as he after- 
wards called it, in contrast with Curist reli- 
gion. 



276 



THE WELL DEILLEE ; OK, 



SERMON. 

Text — Divisions — Appropriateness of the name Destroyer 
— H's former state — His ruin — Brings destruction to 
angels and men — Extent of the destruction — All 
calamities caused by it — How he leads men astray — 
Only one road to rum. but majy paths — Pride — Pro- 
fanity — Morality — Christianity outside the Church — 
Infidelity — Lust — Intemperance — Man by nature igno- 
rant — Must be instructed — The Bible the only somce 
of information — Tells of Sin, of Salve tion — The Bible 
the foundation of our civil liberty — Its destruction 
would plunge us into ruin — The policy of Rome and 
of Satan is to banish it from the land — Necessity of 
guarding it — It gilds the Christian's path through 
death — It is the sinner's only guide to Heaven. 

11 By the word of Thy lips, I hate kept me form the paths 
of the Destroyer" — Psalm 17:4. 

There are three things in the text claiming 

our attention : 

I. The Destroyer. 

II. His Paths. 

III. How to avoid them. 

L THE DESTROYER. 

There are many different names employed 
in the Holy Scriptures to designate tins being. 



I CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



277 



He is called Satan, the Devil, the Old Serpent, 
the Beast, the False Prophet, the Dragon, the 
Prince of Darkness, and of the Power of the 
Air who worketh in the children of disobedience. 
But among the various appellations used, there 
is, perhaps, none which represents his character 
so well as the one in our text. How appropri- 
ate ; how expressive. t 

At one time in his history he was an 
" Angel of Light" — pure, holy and well pleasing 
to God. Happiness and peace were his constant 
attendants. But not satisfied with his lot, he 
sought to aspire to an equality with God. In 
this unholy aspiration, he became the destroyer 
of his own happiness. Lftirled from heaven to 
the bottomless pit, he drew multitudes of kindred 
spirits with him, thus also becoming their des- 
troyer. Sad as the history is, it would have 
been well for us had it rested here. It would 
have made little difference to us whether he re- 
mained an u Angel of Light " or became an in- 
habitant of the infernal region. But, alas ! it 
did not stop here. It is said that " misery loves 
companionship, 5 5 and hence this destroyer of his 
own and other angels' happiness began to cast 



278 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



about in his own demon mind how he might make 
others as miserable as himself. Knowing that 
heaven was barred against his entrance, he wan- 
dered through the illimitable regions of space, if 
perchance he might find some place where he 
could gain recruits for his dread abode. At 
length his eye rested on this orb, as it lay in all 
its purity and beauty, fresh from the Maker's 
hand. With wonder and expectation, he drew 
near to discover, if possible, whether any crea- 
ture might be found whose happiness he could 
destroy. Ah ! how 7 his eyes sparkled with fiend- 
ish delight as he gazed upon the progenitors of 
our race. Here was a field for action. Here 
he discovered an opportunity for effecting mis- 
chief too promising to be allowed to pass by un- 
improved. He would, at least, make an attempt. 
He did. And behold the result ! 

Happy in each other's love, and in com- 
munion with God, our first parents knew 7 no 
sorrow 7 . Eden was one luxuriant spot of Para- 
disical beauty. Fruits, delicious and rare, grew 
in spontaneous abundance. The Tree of Life held 
out its sacred treasures most invitingly, as if to 
say, "eat, and live forever." The Tree of the 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 279 

Knowledge of Good and Evil also presented its 
unwholesome fruit, but it tempted them not- 
Satisfied with their beautiful surroundings, they 
had no desire to meddle with its forbidden fruits, 
and, doubtless, it would have remained untasted 
and untouched to this day, had not the Destroyer 
instilled the spirit of pride and self-importance 
into the heart of Mother Eve. Once persuaded to 
taste it — the ac. was done in a moment — and 
you and I, dear friends, are reaping the reward. 
Their happiness was destroyed ; the harmony 
between God and man, and man and beast, was 
destroyed ; the earth itself was robbed of its beau- 
ty. Man's health and happiness were destroyed; 
his access to the Tree of Life was cut off, and 
misery and death became his portion. And, 
gazing upon the scene, after nearly six thousand 
years have passed, we still behold the destruc- 
tion that was brought about by this Old Serpent, 
the Destroyer. 

Men's delight in God; their happiness ; 
their peace and safety ; yea, even their lives, 
are destroyed through the instigation of him who 
the Psalmist designates as the "Destroyer." And 
one might reasonably suppose that he would 



280 



THE WELL DRiLLER ; OR, 



have been abundantly satisfied with his success 
in that first effort; but no, he is not idle, but 
day and night he ' c goeth about like a roaring 
lion, seeking whom he may devour. " Through 
Ms influence prisons are filled. The brothel and 
bagnio are of his founding. He causes the gal- 
lows to be erected, and is the author of all the 
wars that have desolated the homes of millions, 
and spilt seas of human gore. He it is that fills 
the sick chambers with occupants, and that pop- 
ulates our cemeteries with the silent dead. JSTot 
a pain has ever been felt or groan uttered, nor 
has a single tear coursed its way over the cheek 
of suffering and bereaved humanity, that could 
not be directly or indirectly traced to the work- 
ings of this " Destroyer." Storms, pestilence, 
famine, volcanoes and earthquakes are but the 
foot-prints of him whom the text designates the 
"Destroyer." He fills our almshouses, infirma- 
ries and asylums ; and the gambling hells, thea- 
ters and reeking saloons which curse our land, 
are all erected and maintained by him. And 
all the obscenity, lies and profanity which yearly 
hurl millions into hell, find their origin in him. 
Finally, all these, and the ten thousand other ills 



I CiN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



281 



of life are manufactured by this "Destroyer." 
His sole object is to make mankind miserable in 
this world, and hopeless in the next. 

Let us now attend to the second division of 
our subject, in which we are led to notice 

n. — HIS PATHS. 

And here, my friends, we would invite your 
careful attention to the phraseology of this 
portion of the text. The Saviour when 
speaking of this matter, uses the singular 
instead of the plural number, as we have it here: 
6 6 Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that 
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which 
go in thereat. 5 5 This would seem to conflict with 
the doctrine of the text ; but when rightly 
viewed, perfectly harmonizes with it. The Sav- 
iour's object in using the above language was 
to show the contrast between the evil and the 
good. As there is but one grand road leading 
to eternal life, so there is but one general road 
to destruction. Yet that there are many by-ways, 
or paths leading into it, may be seen, not only 
from the text, but also from the present condi- 
tion of humanity. Whilst there is but one gen- 
eral depravity, there are many different ways in 



282 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



which it shows itself, yet all tending toward the 
same end. Let us examine some of them. 

First, there is the path of Pride, which was 
not only the first path of sin, but which enters 
more or less into all others. How universal is the 
tendency for individuals to "think more highly of 
themselves than they ought to think." And 
what vanity is displayed by all classes in adorn- 
ing their perishing bodies with the sparkling 
dross of a sin-cursed earth. But Satan is too 
wary to confine himself to only one means of 
accomplishing his end. And he understands 
human nature so we 11 that he knows what will 
be sufficient to lead one person astray, will 
scarcely tempt another, hence the necessity of 
having many ways or paths. He tells a certain 
class that it is manly, and shows smartness, to 
take God's name in vain; hence the profanity 
we hear so often. But th's " path " is so far from 
the way of life, and savors so strongly of the pit, 
that only the silly and unrefined can be induced 
to patronize it. He is not content, however, 
with this class of persons, but he wants to lure 
the more intelligent and refined into his kingdom. 
To accomplish this, he must needs have a "path" 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



283 



which runs a little nearer the u narrow way. " 
This is the path of morality. These persons 
would be horror-struck if fin oath were to fall 
from their lips. They pride themselves in their 
honesty and uprightness. They help build the 
^"k, but do not enter it, They depend on their 
own righteousness to save them, and take great 
delight in comparing themselves with professors 
of religion. What a mighty army of souls are 
walking in this "path," hoping that all will at 
last be well with them. Did such but remember 
that being " without Christ they are aliens from 
the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to 
the covenants of promise, having no hope, and 
without God, in the world," they would not long 
be led by the " Destroyer." 

But there is another "path" which lies 
still nearer to the "narrow way," and walking 
in this "path" are all those who claim to be 
Christians, but do not think it essential to be 
members of His Church. In other words, those 
who are ready to say, "I can live outside." 
This class finds fault with the forms used in the 
Church. These, say they, "are powerless to 
save," hence they conclude that they rather hin- 



284 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



der the soul's affections for God. Thus we be- 
hold the old spirit of pride manifesting itself. 
Men setting up their boasted wisdom over against 
the wise counsels of the Almighty. Alas, for 
such ! for by thus disregarding the instructions 
of God, they give the benefit of their influence 
to the Devil, and will eventually realize that 
" there is a way that seemeth right unto 
man, but the end thereof are the ways of 
death." 

Again, there are the ' 1 paths ' 5 of lust, in- 
temperance of all kinds, infidelity, dishonesty, 
falsehood, covetousness, hatred, envy, Sabbath 
desecration, blasphemy, and the whole catalogue 
of iniquity. Wherever we are there is need of 
constant vigilance, for u let him that thinketh 
he standeth take heed lest he fall." The "De- 
stroyer " has most " cunningly laid a perfect 
net-work of " paths," by means of which he 
keeps "many " in the broad road that leads to 
ruin. Like as little streams make up the mighty 
river, so each of these " paths" contribute their 
companies to make the mighty army which the 
" Destroyer " is leading to his dark domain. Be 
wise, dear friends, and shun these " paths " that 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



285 



you may be able to enter into the joys of the re- 
deemed in heaven. 

This leads us to inquire in the last place, 

III. HOW TO AVOID THEM. 

Man is, by nature, ignorant. He knows not 
what his condition is, neither how he may im- 
prove it. In his anxiety to learn the lesson, he 
turns to the philosophy of the master minds of 
the present and the past ; but, after wading 
through their musty volumes, and reducing all 
to an axiom, he has "Know thyself 55 as the 
nearest approach to the truth. Whence, then, is 
the true knowledge to come from ? David an- 
swers this question very conclusively in the lan- 
guage of the text : ' ' By the word of thy lips, 
I have kept me from the paths of the De- 
stroyer." Again he says: "Thy word is a 
lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path." 
"To the law and the testimony," then, our 
inquiring minds are to be directed. This is to 
be the "judge that ends the strife." Turning, 
then, to this source, we learn that the "heart is 
deceitful above all things, and desperately 
wicked;" yea, that man is " dead in trespasses 
and in sins." Here, and in scores of other pass- 



286 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR, 



ages, we learn our deplorable condition, but they 
bring no relief. They do not help us to avoid 
" the paths of the Destroyer they merely tell 
us that we are in them. But we read on in the 
Holy Book, and it tells us to "flee from the 
wrath to come.'* But how? What are the 
means to be employed in facilitating this flight ? 
The anxious inquirer need not read very far until 
he finds the necessary directions : "Believe on 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shaltbe saved," 
— " Repent and be converted, that your sins may 
be blotted out," — "Wherefore come out from 
among them, and be ye separate, saith the 
Lord." These and kindred passages give 
instructions which, if followed, will keep us out 
of the "paths of the Destroyer." They involve 
the necessity of being members 'of Christ's visi- 
ble Kingdom, — of being "added to the Church." 
This was the way in which the early Christians 
manifested their attachment to Christ. 

What Christian has not read with pleasure 
the narrative of that Pentecostal meeting, when 
they that "gladly received His Word were bap- 
tized ; and the same day there were added unto 
them about three thousand souls?" By this 



CAN LIVE OUTSIDE. 



287 



very act these persons confessed that they were 
strangers and pilgrims. Confession is a very 
important factor in the economy of human sal- 
vation; for says the Apostle: "If we confess 
our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous- 
ness." Again, the Word tells us that "with 
the heart man beiieveth unto righteousness, and 
with the mouth confession is made unto salva- 
tion. ' ' 

What is it, dear friends, that lifts us out of 
a state of absolute barbarism, — that prevents us 
from sacrificing our children to Moloch, and 
makes us respect the aged and infirm ? You 
answer that it is because of our civilization and 
liberty. But I ask, Whence did we obtain these 
things? Not from our own unaided reason, — 
for by nature we are as uncivilized and depraved 
as the benighted Hottentot ; ' c for there is no 
difference, for all have sinned, and come short 
of the glory of God," — but from God's own 
revealed Word : "The entrance of thy words 
giveth light ; it giveth understanding unto the 
simple." Destroy this precious gift, and in less 
than five years rme-tenths of the human race 



288 



THE WELL DRILLER ; OR 



will be walking in the " paths of the Destroyer.' 5 
Banish it from our schools and families, and 
you open the flood-gates to ignorance and crime, 
which, like a mighty avalanche, will plunge us, 
as a people, into the maelstrom of disorganiza- 
tion, and then into the vortex of ruin. 

Let us prize it as the mariner does his chart 
and compass, lest we, too, be dashed to pieces 
on the sunken reef of Infidelity. Let us stand 
up boldly in its defense, and see to it that no 
sacrilegious hands deprive us of its blessed doc- 
trines. 

Be not deceived by the sophistry of its 
would-be destroyers. Heed not their fair prom- 
ises, for they have sold themselves to work un- 
righteousness with greediness. It is the policy 
of Borne, "the Mother of harlots, 55 to keep the 
masses in ignorance of her teachings, and in 
this she shows the mark of the Beast on her fore- 
head too plainly for denial. 

The Destroyer has no enemy in this world 
which is so bitter against him as is the Bible, for 
it warns the people against his devices; tells 
them how to shun his "paths," and points out 
the way to heaven. Hence he seeks its destruc- 



I CAN" LIVE OUTSIDE. 



289 



tion. Shall lie succeed ? Never ; for the ' £ gates 
of hell shall not prevail against " God's cause. 
At the same time, however, let us not be lulled 
into inactivity by this, but ever keep in mind that 
it is through man's exertion that God intends to 
perpetuate His everla-ting Kingdom. Guard it, 
then, with a sacred care, for it has lifted you up 
from a state of abject barbarism, and placed 
you in a position of honor, and gathered around 
you the choicest blessings of liberty and civili- 
zation. This is the true Alchemy which trans- 
forms the benighted mind of the Cannibal into 
the pure gold of Christian politeness and excel- 
lence. It is the great Statute Book from which 
maxims have been learned which have tended 
to overthrow the despotism of anarchy and op- 
pression. And above all is it valuable, because 
it points us to the u Lamb of God which taketh 
away the sin of the world," that we may obtain 
the pardon of all our iniquities; live uprightly 
before God and the world, and gain, at last, an 
entrance into the blessed regions of eternal rest. 

Christian, cling to it with a tenacity that re- 
linquishes its hold only with the ebbing of the 
last drop of life-blood. Its promises will gild 



290 



THE WELL DRILLEK. 



the pathway to the tomb, and dispel every tear 
as the "dark valley" comes in view. 

Sinner, it is your only guide %o heaven. 
Without its cheering light darkness must be your 
constant attendant all through life, and in eter- 
nity the blackness of impenetrable darkness will 
forever envelope you in its sable folds ; and with 
the Arch Fiend you lot will be cast, and your 
soul, tormented, for by the word of God's lips 
you are to keep yourselves from the paths of 
the u Destroyer. " Amen. 



